Finding the exquisite art on the streets of the city

Art is evolutionary.
Art is revolutionary.
Art is inclusive.
Art is illusive.

When we discuss art, we talk about Raza, Souza and the Tagores. When we talk about art spaces, we think of galleries, museums and cultural centres. Have we ever thought about the artists who reside in every street and nook of the city? On the occasion of Art Day, which is celebrated every year on April 15, let’s embrace and promote the creative activity and its relation with the elements of society. Let’s honour those artists and artisans who create highly specialised art in the city which is not just for the elites, but everyone.

While exploring the city, one would definitely find the beautiful baskets, matkas and the gajras on the streets; well the aesthetics of such articles is so appealing and soothing for the eyes. Today, we have chosen three such public spaces and artists who are constructing utilitarian art for the rich and the needy alike.

Anupben from Khanderao Market

   Those delicate red roses, mogras and tagars have found her artistic hands. Sharply at nine every day, she takes her place in the flower market to sell the beautiful gajras which might become an adornment for someone’s hair while it might also be offered to gods by many. Her entire survival is dependent on the number of gajras she sells in a day. A resident of Atladra is struggling hard to understand the entire procedure of Widow Pension Scheme and avail it, but is so passionate about art that she learns making gajra from her mates at the market who come all the way from Mumbai to sell tagar veni. “I have been selling gajras since past 30 years post my husband’s death,” shares Anupben. She has used art as a medium of her passion and independence.

Vitthalbhai from Dandiya Bazaar

One would definitely not miss gazing at those amazing baskets and chattais that Vitthalbhai has displayed in his shop. He gets most of his baskets from the weavers of Assam that he sells at his shop, but has a chattai workshop. His native is Pune, but they have settled here since past three generations. “We have also outsourced our work to the ones who are put in the jail,” says Vitthalbhai. Since past few years, he has been doing this noble work of helping those who are imprisoned or who have just been released from the jail and are struggling to meet their ends. He has taught them to make chattais and earn a living out of this art. He is practicing his art along with helping people who are in need of a job.

Ramjibhai from Kumbharwada

For him, the chaakda is his god and mud is his child. He is the one who gives shape to the lump of clay and makes a utilitarian piece from it. The diyas, matkas and tiny pots that we use for pooja, storing water and cooking is brilliantly made by him in different shapes and sizes. “It seems to be an easy task, but it needs lot of patience,” opines Ramjibhai. The task begins from picking the right kind of mud to baking the final product; first in basking sun and next in fire. It is then that he gets the exact article. The amount of money earned is nowhere close to the energy that is invested in creating a piece.

Let’s be inclusive and appreciate these artists who create utilitarian art for us.