An inspirational life…finally rewarded!

It should come as no surprise to anybody in the know, that this year the Government of India has conferred the Padma Shri to Kekoo Gandhy. What is surprising though is that it took so long to recognize and honor a man who has tirelessly dedicated his working life to actively promoting Indian Contemporary, Folk & Tribal Art. (He provided hanging space for artists at Chemould frame shop in Princess Street as far back as 1945 and eventually went on to establish Gallery Chemould at Jehangir Art Gallery in 1963).

At an age when most people choose the more sedentary way of life, Kekoo is an active Rotarian and continues to promote art vigorously, including as an activist and a voce against moral policing. Not many people know that Kekoo was educated at Cambridge and hailed from a wealthy Parsi family that was engaged in the tobacco business yet he chose to devote his life to art, and along with his wife Khorshed were the early pioneers, giving a platform not only to the contemporary artists of the time but also to folk and tribal artists with the first show of Kalamkari paintings as early as 1979. In all my conversations with Kekoo over the years he has always been a great champion of the crafts, which he believes is the real wealth of this nation.

Like many, I have been a Chemould loyalist for over a decade and my every visit to the gallery would be punctuated by a kind ‘hello’ and Kekoo’s reassuring presence, unassuming modesty and genuine love for art is forever engrained in my memory. In a diluted world of crooks and conmen he stands apart as a beacon of hope, and a living example to all who aspire to scale great heights with uncompromising integrity and compassion...He has been a mentor and inspiration to me and to countless others, and his kindness and warmth still touch the hearts of all that have the privilege of knowing him…