Mumbai's keepers of art

Jamaat When Jamaat which means gathering opened on January 8 1999 it was envisaged as a spot where people could exchange thoughts and ideas as well as sit relax and view art The gallery started as a tribute to Pravina Mecklairsquos dad Jhamat who exposed her to the arts when she was six Recalls Mecklai owner of Jamaat ldquoWe started with a show of paintings by K Laxma Goud After that we were on a roll and proud of our shows with the Shantiniketanbased sculptor Sarbari Roy Chowdhury and Kolkatabased Sunil Das We showed Chennaibased AV Ilango in 2000 the show was so successful that he got the confidence to participate in the European Art Academy show and won the first prize The artists we show are now family mdash we celebrate their successes and comfort during their tragediesrdquo Jamaat turns 14 this January Since 2009 Jamaat has focused on showing works by masters of traditional Indian art forms ldquoThis has given these master artists the exposure experience and confidence to show in fine art galleries all over the country and their works are now in global museums in Japan London Paris and Los Angelesrdquo she adds Over the years Jamaat has featured artists from Sri Lanka Bangladesh Japan New York France and Italy They have also hosted fashion shows music performances plays book readings and talks They also conduct workshops for children from local schools and NGOs and talks by artists The 14yearold gallery has hosted renowned artists Mecklai recalls ldquoMF Husain would come by for tea from his studio round the corner whenever he was in the mood I adored Jehangir Sabavala as an artist and as a gentleman We joke around with Krishen Khanna and share biryani with Laxman Shreshtardquo u00a0The gallery has also had its share of hurdles but managed to make a comeback ldquoOn February 14 2004 the gallery building fell Even though all the floors above us were demolished when we were allowed to enter Jamaat after two days we found that there was not a crack on the wall We moved out for two years until the building was safe Luckily we had an empty apartment on the 7th floor in a building in Colaba where we started Jamaat in the skyrdquo u00a0reminisces Mecklai Their anniversary show that year was at the old site with a sitespecific installation by Sudarshan Shetty titled Party is Elsewhere It featured a big table with 365 wine glasses and a hammer came down on the table and shook the glasses but did not break them ldquoThis was to indicate that even though we were shaken we were not broken and had just moved the celebration After two years we moved back to our original place and had a stunning Samir Mondal showrdquo says Mecklai For their 14th anniversary they will showcase artworks by Prabhakar Kolte ldquoI admire him as a teacher writer friend and mentor This show includes his works from 2001 to 2008 after which he stopped painting and started writing travelling and lecturing Most were unseen before this and are watercolours on paper in blacks and whites A few include collages using mixed media This show came about after long discussions and studio visitsrdquo explains Mecklai In the near future the gallery plans to introduce talks and workshops Till February 8 At Jamaat National House Tulloch Road Colaba Call 22822145 Log on to wwwjamaatartcom Tao Art Gallery Started on January 28 2000 Worlirsquos Tao Art Gallery includes two exhibition spaces Window Gallery and Atrium Gallery and is owned by selftaught artist curator and collector Kalpana Shah Over 13 years it has been a site for art camps book launches photo exhibitions and art performances In 2001 itrsquos launch show featured a historical show that paid tribute to key points in the careers of Akbar Padamsee MF Husain and SH Raza among others In 2003 they hosted Shantipath an exhibition dedicated to world peace featuring artists such as Sakti Burman Arpana Caur and Satish Gujral The anniversary show with art by Prabhakar Kolte The gallery has also curated an allwomen art camp in Cambodia in 2005 and a group show at the Tate and Chelsea College of Arts London in the same year In 2008 the gallery first participated in the Indian Art Summit at Delhi ldquoMost expensive paintings of contemporary Indian masters including SH Raza MF Husain and Tyeb Mehta have been displayed at the Tao Art Gallery A few innovative events in the pipeline are periodic artrelated film screenings and discussion sessions on art appreciationrdquo says Shah Their anniversary show Equilibrium is about the creative and destructive side to naturersquos law These two processes working in harmony with one another maintain life and spin the wheel of evolution By balancing the opposing forces nature promotes evolution From February 7 till Friday 8 At Tao Art Gallery Dr AB Road Worli Call 24918585 Log on to wwwtaoartgallerycom