“Durga’s shakti draws me”

The mystical world that opens up during Durga puja is deeply attractive and exciting

The splendour of Indian festivals is like none other. Durga Puja has always appealed to me. The pomp, the splendour, the drama and the grandeur of it all is unmatched. There is something about the power of Goddess Durga, the shakti, that draws me.

Puja Fervour

Come Puja season and visiting a pandal or two is a ritual. There is so much energy and revelry and I love seeing the idols of Durga in her saaj of crimson saris, bejewelled in gold with white shola. Women in gossamer dhaka saris with beautiful

karan phools and men in crisp dhoti kurtas all intoxicated by the rhythmic sound of the dhak, the smell of dhoop and the dhunochi, all transport you into a mystical world. You also get to enjoy the creativity and talent of the indigenous artists who create the protimas.

Serendipitously, the first lot I found for our Sotheby’s inaugural sale in Mumbai slated for November this year was the Durga Mahisasura

Mardini—a seminal work by modernist master Tyeb Mehta which is a symbol of the victory of good over evil. Finding the painting was a surreal moment, almost like Goddess Durga had come to bless our first auction. That painting will always be special to me as is the festival.

The Art of Gifts

During this festival season, my wife and I always like to gift something unique—a print, folk art, Indian textiles or a great book. I still like the old tradition of gifting tokris of fresh fruit and nuts and mogras.

In the last three years our desire to pick traditional silver thalis got sidetracked as we went and bought ourselves works of art instead. This year though, we are determined to buy those thalis. (That said, I already have my eye on Sooni Taraporvala’s photograph The Mystic Piano Tuner,

Bombay 1985.’ It is so Bombay).