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Kiran Nadar,wife of HCL founder Shiv Nadar,opened an art space on the sprawling HCL Technologies campus in Noida on Saturday...

Kiran Nadar,wife of HCL founder Shiv Nadar,opened an art space on the sprawling HCL Technologies campus in Noida on Saturday. The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA),spread over 15,000 sq ft,was inaugurated by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni,and the arterati,including Satish Gujral,Bharti Kher and Ram Rahman,braved the dank chill and crossed the Yamuna to celebrate the venture.

Kiran,58,kitted out in a demure kurta,said,We are at a nascent stage so I would request you to bear with us. The museum will grow with time. She also dismissed comments that the location could prove to be a disadvantage. Look at Noida in a positive light, she said,I have been collecting art for over two decades and felt a responsibility to share it with the public. The primary goal is to inspire interest in art in the 65,000-strong HCL family. The closet collector is a prolific bridge player,and should know how to play her cards right.

The KNMA would move to a gargantuan space of 80,000 sq ft,adjacent to the HCL corporate office,in two years. For now,Kiran is celebrating with the inaugural exhibition Open Spaces which is an edited version of her collection of about 300 works. The show has Raja Ravi Varmas,Souzas,Husains and the latest in her stable,an Anish Kapoor,snapped up at the India Art Summit last year.

The exhibition of 48 works by 40 artists is curated by KNMA director Roobina Karode,who has dramatically placed Ravinder Reddys iconic head in a brilliant red at the entrance,Kapoors untitled steel work right in the centre of the gallery and Subodh Guptas whimsical rickshaw with its clanging brass pots at the end of the gallery.

Kiran said she never collected with the intent of opening a museum. Even most of my friends did not know about my collection. Its only when I brought it out in the public domain that people got to know about it. Besides,where is the space in the house to view these works? she asks,pointing to a towering canvas by Shazia Sikander.

The do was attended by gallerists Arun Vadehra,Ashish Anand and Renu Modi,a quiet SH Raza,National Gallery of Modern Art Director Rajiv Lochan and former actor Sharmila Tagore. Champagne and kebabs went well with Vivek Vilasinis satirical The Last Supper with Kathakali dancers seated at the table. UK-based artist Raqib Shaws luminous Absence of God grabbed eyeballs as did the marvellous,century-old Shakuntala by Ravi Varma. While Modi said,I knew she would open a museum one day,Nevile Tuli of Osians pressed the need for more such private endeavours.

How did Kiran prod her husband into parting with the huge space? She replied with a smile,Well,hes an indulgent husband. So far,KNMA plans to hold three events a year and undertake educational initiatives as well.

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Show is on for three months at HCL Technologies Ltd. Plot No. 3 A,Sector 126,Noida. Contact: 95120 2520917

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