Page 12 - Nov 2019
P. 12
People
Remembering Balasaheb
The sad demise of Balasaheb Thackeray seven years ago left a gap not just in politics
but in the world of art, too. Vickram Sethi looks back
November 17 marks the seventh death times and like a schoolmaster he corrected me
anniversary of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb each time, “Mumbai”. I must confess I was very
Thackeray. Gazing back over the years, I recall embarrassed.
an artistic encounter with him. I was the curator Between our conversations, I was
of Tina Ambani’s Harmony show, an annual art showing him some works of art and
event where I would spot new talent. By far it I mentioned “Sir, look at this artist’s
was India’s biggest art exhibition. draughtsmanship”. Suddenly,Balasaheb said
Mrs Ambani would invite Balasaheb every “Draughtsmanship?”and asked me “What are
year to inaugurate the event. In the year 2003, you doing this evening?” I said,“Nothing sir.”
Balasaheb said he would visit the show but not “Come to my house at 7o’clock.”
inaugurate it,because it would create too many An invitation to Balasaheb’s home is an
security issues and put everybody to a lot of invitation to Fort Knox. To my misfortune, I
inconvenience. It was agreed that he would visit reached 15 minutes late and I apologised saying
the show between 10.30 and 11 on a Sunday that I got stuck in traffic, he replied:“I would
morning. Balasaheb arrived at Nehru Centre have sent you my car.” We laughed, and so the
at 10.30am and I escorted him around the evening began.
exhibition. Balasaheb wanted to show me his cartoons.
Patiently Balasaheb went around looking at When he did, it was to tell me, “This is what
all the artworks with a lot of interest.In my draughtsmanship is all about,” explaining that
conversation I must have said “Bombay” three he had to fit in everything within [the size of
