SoBo gets new art destination that will display Salvador Dali's paintings

Debris lines the entrance to Treasures of India when we arrive for a walkthrough of Colabas newest luxury destination opening this afternoon Its a Monday morning and labourers are working in doublequick time since the place will open its doors to the public in a little over 24 hours Inside naked mannequins share space with unpacked boxes in the compact venue and there is so much dust flying around that we find the midday photographer standing in one corner We find out later that he suffers from an allergyWork in progress for the launch of Treasures of India PicSuresh KarkeraBut for a man who is clearly in a race against time Rudhra Kapur the stores 50yearold owner seems as calm as someone with his feet up on a sunbed while on vacation Dont worry about it he says with a drawl when we point out that the clock is ticking adding Im halfGermanWhen we sit for a chat later Kapur reveals that he gets his German ancestry from his mother Gabrielle who came up with the name and concept of Treasures of India in 1966 The vision that she had was to create a home which is actually a boutique Kapur says continuing This meant the world to her but unfortunately my parents separated at the time So the project never really took offThe open workshop at the storeThe space itself though has been with the family ever since and fell in Kapurs lap after Gabrielle passed away recently He decided to complete what she had envisioned Every single item at the store mdash starting from the chandeliers to the managers desk mdash will be on sale for the customers who walk in Kapur says He adds that the upper level of the twostorey structure will also house an art gallery which will open with an exhibition of seven Salvador Dali paintings procured from a gallerist in MadridSurrealist CavalierThe upper level will also house an open workshop similar to an open kitchen at restaurants where patrons can watch firsthand how master tailors create the garments that are on display Promoting the cause of such artisans Kapur says has assumed greater significance given the economic climate of the countryDon Quijote de la Mancha by Salvador DaliWith GST and demonetisation when the business community is having a difficult time you imagine the impact it is having on the weavers printers and artisans who come home with 20 in cash and sleep with it under their pillow so that they are able to give enough money to their wives to make a meal he ruesDalis Cavalier on the MirrorHe adds that eradicating inequalities is what Gabrielle dedicated her life to once she gave up on her dream of opening the retail outlet My mother worked for the cause of Indian artisans till the end of her days We have continued that and ensure that we dont work with polyester or other artificial fabrics because unless the artisans can make what they do lucrative what is the point he reasonsEven though she is no more Gabrielles original plan for Treasures of India will eventually see the light of day once the debris is removed the racks filled and the dust cleared Ill gradually try and fuse our store at The Taj with this one which is in my mothers memory says the managing partner of Burlingtons a fashion empire that Kapur inherited from his father That designation is what his calling card consists of But from today onward he will also be known as the proprietor of a lifestyle outpost housed in a heritage building just off The Gateway of India that essentially is a gift from a son to his late mother and exemplifies the phrase better late than neverOPENS Today 5 pmAT D Wing Dhanraj Mahal CST Marg ColabaCALL 66518061STORE TIMINGS 11 am to 7 pm