Straight Answers

Dilip De, Member, Jehangir Art Gallery Golden Jubilee Celebrations Committee, on the ongoing celebrations.
What is the thrust of activities of the Jehangir Art Gallery Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee?
Fifty years ago, Sir Cowasji Jehangir, the second Baronet, set up Jehangir Art Gallery — on a spot which was originally a pond — to give an exhibition space to emerging young artists. This is probably the only non-commercial gallery in India. Though artists have been able to exhibit here, the gallery is running at a deficit since government grants are negligible. We are organising programmes like art shows, talks, auctions and trying to raise funds.
What sort of activities?
From January 21 through the year, we’ve had a series of activities. There was an art auction where one work of three major artists — Raza, Shakti Burman and Anjolie Ela Menon was auctioned by Christie’s. There was a music concert by Zakir Husain, we’ve had talks by Dr Saryu Doshi, Gautam Rajadhyaksha and Ranjit Hoskote and also a sponsored lighting of the gallery. Recently, Jazzy Joe and the Jazz Junkies performed in one of the exhibition halls. Later, we’ll also be having a first day cover and stamp released on the gallery — a first for any gallery in India.
On a long-term basis, what is the committee looking at?
We are looking at two aspects. Firstly, increasing exhibition space. Earlier, since there were less artists, a lot of space in the gallery was given away. Now the situation has changed. Aspiring artists have to wait five years before they can display their work. So we are looking at additional space for painters. Another issue at hand is a place for a projection and lecture room. We’ve already given a facelift to the gallery shop, thanks to the efforts of Alfaz Miller who revamped it for absolutely nothing!
Funds-wise, what’s been the collection?
We were targetting Rs 1 crore. Through the auction and donation, we’ve collected about Rs 75 lakh, which will increase to Rs 85 lakh in January with a promised donation. Though we have a further Rs 25 lakh to collect, I think we’ll definitely cross the Rs 1 crore mark