A Gallery ... A Gathering... A Happening
It is 10 years since I opened JAMAAT. A decade gone by . A new one beginning . A Happy New Year.
10 years of learning. 10 years of more work than I imagined. 10 years of more joy possible. 10 years of meeting incredible people. 10 years of dicovering wonderful art.
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This has been an amazing journey . Started with a passion for art , but no knowledge of the commerce of it . Started as a tribute to my Dad , Jhamat , who exposed me to the arts at the age of 6 . Hugely encouraged by my husband Jamal . God surely protects the innocent , as Jamaat took off right from the beginning . This is not just a gallery , it is a "Gathering" , like the name says in Urdu . I wanted it to be more than just a white cube displaying art . I wanted it to be interactive . Where the outside came in and the inside was visible out . A place for exchange of thoughts , ideas and dreams . A place of debate , discussions and solutions . A place to come , look at your leisure and enjoy. A place where the door is open to all . This was my dream . The artists I have shown , have always been those whose works I have admired . Not only from Bombay , but all over the country . And some from the neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka and Bangladesh . From established artists to new artists . From paintings , sculpture to installations . We have hosted plays , music recitals , book launches . Held art workshops for kids from Mobile Creche and Akansha . English language classes for the Municipal School kids by the Sujaya Foundation . Samir Mondal conducted art workshop of watercolours last year . And on and on . My biggest joy is when I discover a new artist . Expose them , guide them , and watch them develop and grow . So many of my "babies" are now stars in their own right . My biggest delight is guiding a fresh first time art buyer . Seeing their eyes light up with passion . JAMAAT has impacted our lives hugely . Not just mine , but also my husband Jamal and our kids , Priyanka and Karan . Just being surrounded by art all your working hours is beautiful . Add the people you meet , not just the creative and crazy artists but also excited buyers , you becoming personally involved with these people . They become your friends . The places you go, the people you meet , the way you think , the way you see and hear the way you do things , what you are involved with , we have all changed . The path I see before me is to continue adding new dimensions to JAMAAT . Perhaps art talks, perhaps art appreciation discussions . Showing different genres of art . Showing very fine folk art , which is something that fascinates me . The artisans are so evolved , they are really fine artists . Time and the almighty will show the way .
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