Soul searching

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Artist Satish Gujral returns to Mumbai with a show celebrating life</span><br /><br />On a chilly Mumbai morning, he tries hard to get a glimpse of the Gateway of India from his hotel room. The curiosity is understandable since it has been a while since artist Satish Gujral last visited the city.The multi-faceted artist feels a strong bond with the city. "Mumbai''s energy fascinates me. Its sophistication and vigour is unmatched. Delhi is far behind!" he says bluntly.<br /><br />Showcasing his latest work based on old miniatures at the Jehangir Art Gallery this week, Gujral, a former J J School of Art student, has once again done what he is best-known for: Created a new style, as he does every decade. These canvasses celebrate life and explore dimensions like never before. "I have never been afraid to change," he pronounces.<br /><br />Gujral admits that he has no illusions about the current patronage towards artists, which he says is not for the sake of art. "An artist is like a cactus -- he grows with or without patronage," he explains. The growing commodification of art disturbs him. "An artist is not a man of ideas, he is a man of feelings. When the artist crosses thin line between art and commodity, he then only paints to sell. But there are great artists like Picasso who became bigger than the line," he points out.<br /><br />Mention modern Indian art and Gujral asks for its definition. "Curators in the West will accept our work only when we become ourselves. Indian artists must search for our souls. That''s where the journey will truly begin."</div> </div>