The Dhoomimal Gallery’s ongoing exhibition on F. N. Souza, one of India’s most important modern masters, is special in more ways than one. It comes close on the heels of his centenary exhibition organized by the gallery last year, to mark the master’s 100th birth anniversary on April 12. Besides, the current exhibition has the exclusive contribution of Souza’s family—his daughter Keren Souza Kohn and grandson Solomon, who carry in them the genes and the legacy of the great artist. And lastly, but not the least, this exhibition reaffirms the relationship that Souza enjoyed with the late Ravi Jain, and Uma Ravi Jain of Dhoomimal Gallery.
Ravi Jain’s patronage to Souza was significant. Souza had left India for greener pastures in London in 1949, and after a period of struggle achieved success. However, he always rued the fact that he did not get the recognition he deserved in the country of his birth. Ravi Jain held an exhibition of Souza’s works in 1966 and the two went on to develop a close family relationship in the decades to come; the relationship continued even after the untimely passing of Ravi Jain in 1991.
This exhibition throws new light on all aspects of Souza’s life that contributed to making him one of the greatest masters of modern Indian art—from his own energy that led him to the founding of Progressive Artists’ Group, to his relationships, with artists, with women and his collectors, from his pathbreaking forays into modernism to his lasting legacy.
The exhibition is the result of a fruitful collaboration between Souza’s family, Dhoomimal Gallery and Prinseps. On view through April 15.
In the image above, from left, Indrajit Chatterjee of Prinseps, author and curator Yashodhara Dalmia, Solomon Souza Kohn (artist and F. N. Souza's grandson), Uday and Sunaina Jain of Dhoomimal Gallery, and Keren Souza Kohn, artist and daughter of F. N. Souza.
