Yours lovingly

In April 2007,as the art world raked in the riches of a booming market,painter-sculptor Mithu Sen made an audacious offer Send me a letter of love and Ill gift you a free painting in the medium of your choice.

Artist Mithu Sen is giving away free paintings to those who write her a love letter

In April 2007,as the art world raked in the riches of a booming market,painter-sculptor Mithu Sen made an audacious offer Send me a letter of love and Ill gift you a free painting in the medium of your choice. At the time,Sens canvases,too,had touched the stratosphere. I wanted to protest the commercialization of art, she explains.

Sen now culminates the journey with an exhibition at Khoj,an arts organisation based in Khirkee Extension,where pink rooms with soft lighting display not only the notes of affection that trickled in from across the world over two years,but also gift-wrapped paintings that have been lined up for pen friends. The Free Mithu project relied on the concept of gift, taking it beyond the commercial value of the object. It draws on the ideas developed in the book The Gift by Lewis Hyde. The price of my paintings is the love that I have received from my friends, says Sen.

The tokens of affection came in various form two diaries,a box of mangoes,a sweater and even a shared lemon cake. I received 104 letters and three are on their way and 31 are pending, she adds happily. Among the writers was a man who insisted

I write down the words myself as hedictated them and another who let his passion flow through e-mail but refused to send a hard copy.

Her own gifts range from drawings on paper,drawings on a wall,hair sculpture,hair embroidery,tattoo and poems in Balinese. The project has enabled me to map psychology, she says. Three friends refused to take artwork in return for their letters while several others insisted their best return gift would be if I take a break from work and rest.

Among those who received a painting and a hug was Shweta,who had expressed her feeling for Sen by making an etching. I thought that was the best gift one artist could give to another, she says. As the gift-wrapped artwork disappear,Sen adds that last-minute letter writers can still pick up a painting. Visitors to the show are leaving notes for me in a box. Three writers will be gifted a work through a lucky draw to be held on the last day of the exhibition, she says.

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The Free Mithu exhibition is being held till February 27. Contact: 65655874

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Yours lovingly

In April 2007,as the art world raked in the riches of a booming market,painter-sculptor Mithu Sen made an audacious offer Send me a letter of love and Ill gift you a free painting in the medium of your choice.

In April 2007,as the art world raked in the riches of a booming market,painter-sculptor Mithu Sen made an audacious offer Send me a letter of love and Ill gift you a free painting in the medium of your choice.