The master of drawing movement

Written By Zubin Daruwalla

Source: Mid-Day

The Nehru Centre Art Gallery, which has been regularly showcasing retrospectives of art masters for a quarter of a century, has chosen one of the pioneers of Indian modern art this month: late Mumbai artist and master draughtsman Shiavax Chavda.

In 43 years of marriage, artist Shiavax Chavda and Bharatanatyam dancer Khurshid Vajifdar shared their life - their house and their office - as equals. In their circular workspace in Dhobi Talao, he took up one half as his studio, and she took up the other half to teach dance.

"He would hear a lot of tabla, harmonium and dance sounds: explanations, instructions, children asking questions," says their daughter Jeroo Chavda. "It was a lively scene for him, because normally when you paint, it’s very solitary and quiet. You’re always by yourself. It added a lot of textures to his [paintings of] dancers. Even his abstracts, everybody says, “There’s so much movement in it.” They’re not static."

 

Further Articles

Media
Prominent Indian artist Shiavax Chavda’s works showcased at NY Fashion Week
Prominent Indian artist Shiavax Chavda’s works showcased at NY Fashion Week

Celebrity publicist Anna Rothschild recently hosted designer Frederick Anderson’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW) after-party at New York hotspot Veranda and invitees were treated to a visual feast as select paintings of Indian master Shiavax Chavda were put on display.

The eight paintings comprising abstracts and semi-abstracts by the master draughtsman offered a fascinating introduction to the art of Chavda and evidenced an exquisite distillation of his boundless curiosity coupled with his multicultural sensitivity. The Indian artist’s recent exhibition was held at Veranda, Grand Street, New York.

Read More →
Stellar lineup of celebrity guests at 2/25 afterparty with display of works by shiavax chavda
Stellar lineup of celebrity guests at 2/25 afterparty with display of works by shiavax chavda

We hear…

…That Anna Rothschild hosted a party for designer Frederick Anderson’s at Veranda. Art by Shiavax Chavda was on display and guests included Candace Bushnell, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Danny Baker, Petra Khashoggi and Libbie Mugrabi. It was sponsored by Glenfiddich whiskey and Hendricks gin.

Read More →
Indian Masters Retrospective Exhibition featuring paintings and sketches by artist shiavax chavda
Indian Masters Retrospective Exhibition featuring paintings and sketches by artist shiavax chavda

Shiavax Chavda, who was part of the Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group, held his first show at the Taj Mahal Hotel Prince’s Room in 1945. He gave top priority to drawing and was considered a master draughtsman.

The artist experimented in various artistic styles studying and recreating with his deft strokes the human body, birds, serpents and other animals, Balinese masks, famous Indian ancient temples and cave sculptures, Indian musicians, classical Indian dancers, semi-abstract and abstract art. He worked with paper, canvas, silk, plywood, Chinese ink, crayon, watercolours, tempera and oils.

Read More →
Zubin Daruwalla
Previous

Indian Masters Retrospective Exhibition featuring paintings and sketches by artist shiavax chavda
Next

‘His life was a dedication to the arts’: Shiavax Chavda’s children talk about his retrospective exhibition