It was less than three months ago that the city woke up feeling a tangible void in its famed &lsquo;spirit of Mumbai&rsquo;. It&rsquo;s dear son, Late Ratan Tata had breathed his last, leaving behind stories not only with the who&rsquo;s who of the city, but common folk who had their own special memories.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/Arya-Amadekar-art_e.jpg" alt="Arya Ambadekar&rsquo;s miniature sculpture of Ratan Tata" width="1280" height="720" /> Arya Ambadekar&rsquo;s miniature sculpture of Ratan Tata
While most poured their hearts out in words, many of which this newspaper strung together in its tribute edition, there were a few who picked up their brushes. Just in time for the icon&rsquo;s birth anniversary tomorrow, 21 young artists from Mumbai, led by artist Sanjay Nikam are ready to unveil these tributes for the city to see.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/1_e.jpg" alt="Arya Ambadekar" width="1280" height="720" />Arya Ambadekar
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m a staunch Gandhian,&rdquo; says 55-year-old Nikam. For the past year and a half, the Sir JJ School of Art alumnus has been conducting free art workshops for students and enthusiasts at the Gandhi Film Foundation in Mani Bhavan. &ldquo;When Ratan Tata passed away, it felt like we had lost a man who came a close second to Gandhi. That&rsquo;s when I decided to assemble my students and put together a homage,&rdquo; he reveals.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/Pratibha-Jadhav-art_e.jpg" alt="Ratan Tata, acrylic on canvas by Pratibha Jadhav" width="1280" height="720" /> Ratan Tata, acrylic on canvas by Pratibha Jadhav
For Fiza Mujawar, a master&rsquo;s degree student at the Sir JJ School of Art, Mr Tata&rsquo;s eyes were a window to his soul. &ldquo;I started reading his biographies when I was a child. His humility, empathy and selflessness remain unparalleled. He might have been a man of few words, but his eyes conveyed the rest,&rdquo; she tells us. Mujawar&rsquo;s acrylic on canvas artwork features Mr Tata&rsquo;s eyes peeping through a field of Freesia flowers. &ldquo;Freesia flowers have been used in many cultures around the world to denote trust. I think the rest is self-explanatory,&rdquo; she smiles.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/Sanjay-Nikam_e.jpg" alt="Pratibha Jadhav and Sanjay Nikam" width="1280" height="720" /> Pratibha Jadhav and Sanjay Nikam
Visitors will find that the theme of trust remains constant in the many artworks at the exhibition. &ldquo;He rose to the occasion when the people who placed their trust in him needed him the most,&rdquo; recalls artist Sachin Banne.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/Fiza-Mujawar_e.jpg" alt="Fiza Mujawar" width="1280" height="720" /> Fiza Mujawar
The 26-year-old is referring to the sliver of hope Tata brought in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror attacks that shook the city to its core. &ldquo;My artwork juxtaposes Mr Tata&rsquo;s portrait with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel&rsquo;s dome, with a bust of Jamshedji Tata looking over him,&rdquo; Banne shares.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/Sachin-Bane-art_e.jpg" alt="The Taj by Sachin Banne, acrylic on paper" width="1280" height="720" /> The Taj by Sachin Banne, acrylic on paper
The artists, including 22-year-old Pratibha Jadhav, who will present a simple portrait at the exhibition, admit that although their artworks shine light on Tata&rsquo;s life, to tell the whole story will require more than a piece of canvas. Architecture student Arya Ambadekar agrees. A miniature bust of Tata, intricately carved inside a walnut shell by the multimedia artist is aptly titled Legacy In a Nutshell. &ldquo;It had been a longtime dream to meet Mr Tata and give him something I had created. Unfortunately, that won&rsquo;t be possible now. But when my small contribution sits alongside the many artworks, I&rsquo;m sure he&rsquo;ll be watching,&rdquo; she signs off.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2024/dec/Sachin-Bane_e.jpg" alt="Sachin Banne" width="1280" height="720" /> Sachin Banne
On December 28, 4 pm (preview); December 29 to January 17; 11 am to 5 pm (Mondays to Fridays) At Gandhi Film Foundation, behind Mani Bhavan, Laburnum Road, Gamdevi.
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