Mother Forever

“Mother has become part of my life. Even though she is not there physically,her presence is there. I have tried to show her love in various ways in my work,” says Kumar,a close associate of Mother’s for 32 years. The Kolkata-based artist,who worked as volunteer with Mother Teresa,went on to become her spokesperson. Those years left a deep impact on Kumar,who has nearly 15 paintings signed by Mother. Towards the end of her life,Mother would visit Kumar and encourage her to paint the various projects of the missionaries of charity. “Mother would sign the paintings,which I never wanted to sell. She never once criticised them,” Kumar recollects.

Further,M F Husain who gave the artist most valuable creative tips. “I switched from watercolour to acrylic following Husain’s advice.” Her friendship with the artist-in-exile started years back when they met at a tennis match in Delhi in which the artist’s husband Naresh Kumar,a former captain of India’s Davis Cup team,was playing against Vijay Amritraj. Husain has been generous with his advice and has even exhibited his work with Kumar in London. “I’ve learned so much from him in terms of colour and technique. But his paintings are a lot stronger and dramatic; I’m more drawn to lighter colours,” she says. The exhibition,till November 30,will see Kumar depict the street scenes of centuries-old Kolkata.