By Prayag Shukla - 11 Oct, 2007

Art of Dhoomimals

My art-writing career owes a lot to Dhoomimals, responsible for promoting Indian art through shows at their premises. Not only were they always eager to share anyone’s passion for the art, but also willingly prepared to enthuse it. I clearly remember one afternoon of the Sixties, or early seventies when I had gone to the Dhoomimals, in search of a portfolio of Jamini Roy, which Dhoomimal had published, and about which I had heard from some one. At that time 8 –A, Connaught Place, also had a stationery shop on the ground floor. I went inside it and found Mahender Ji sitting behind the counter. He smiled seeing me, as we knew each other, and had met at the openings at the Gallery before, but at that time, I was not that close to him. Due to certain family arrangements he was not looking after the Gallery then, but had been positioned at the stationery shop. We exchanged pleasantries and I enquired about the portfolio. Perhaps not many copies were left by that time, but he searched for one, and presented it before me. I asked about the price, it was around twenty-twenty five rupees or so. Before my hand could reach my pocket, he waved his hands in ‘no’ and said,” please take it as complimentary. You need not pay for it”. I was in my late twenties and had started writing on art. In those days for a write-up we used to get around fifty rupees or so, from magazines, hence a saving of this much amount meant a lot to me. I tried to persuade him to accept the amount, but” no please don’t” was the reply again. This gesture from his side, remained with me forever.

In the days to come we became friends and had many occasions to exchange our views on art and artists. He never boasted of any intellectual preferences, and never presented himself as some one, who had gathered lots of knowledge about art by reading or by other means, yet we knew that by his sheer experience, discussions and intuitions he was a gallery man, with a vision and perception, and was a keen observer of the art scene. His perceptive comments would make us think twice on some works, or the body of works by an artist; or on some issue related to the art or art-scene. He was a widely traveled man, had experience in running an art-business in New York, knew many artists intimately, would visit the studios of the artists, within the country and abroad. He always believed in making new contacts, promoting young artists, and mounting exhibitions with love and care. He was meant for no other area, but art . Mahender Jain, would always treat the artists, critics, collectors, humbly, and seldom raised his voice. Chewing paans, (as he relished them) he would always be smiling and treating his guests with love and care. I had a chance to spend many evenings at the Gallery and his house, in the company of Shanti Bhai (Shanti Dave), Jogen Chowdhury, Narayan Kulkarni, Shamshad, and some other senior and younger artists. Critics like Santo Dutta and Vinod Bharadwaj and art-historian and museum director Dr Laxmi Sihare would also be there at times. We discussed art, enjoyed our drinks, and even had late night dinners with Mahender Ji and family. The children would retire early, as they had to attend the school next morning, but our discussions even ‘fights’ over some issue would go on, and on. Mahender Ji, and his wife would attend to all our fancies for food and eatables. I would like to express my regards to Mrs Sushma Jain also, whom we have known as a pious lady, with higher education, well –wisher of all the art fraternity , sincere, hard working, and very supportive to her husband and children. Her valuable contribution to the growth of this Gallery is appreciated by us. She kept running the Gallery effectively after the sad demise of Mahender Ji.

It makes me happy and proud to see that Mohit has presented shows with innovative themes like Mask and Kites , and entered the Gallery into a new chapter, not only in its physical appearance with well thought out spaces, but also in spirit. We have seen Mohit growing on all accounts, and to see his Gallery growing as well, gives us immense pleasure. My blessings and best wishes are with him, his family, and his Gallery.