A bid for heritage

Jehangir Sabavala’s The Sorcerer II

Today will witness the opening of Saffronart's fundraiser auction in support of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival's (KGAF) efforts to restore the Sir David Sassoon Library - a Grade I heritage building - which is possibly the city's oldest operational library and reading room. The building was constructed in 1870 and was one of the first structures to be built on the Esplanade. Right near Kala Ghoda square, the landmark library is placed in a hub of cultural activity with institutions such as Max Mueller Bhavan, Jehangir Art Gallery, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya within walking distance. Spokespersons from KGAF reveal that the library is closely associated with the annual arts festival, and its garden area has always been a landmark for the festival.

Sudhir Patwardhan's artwork are part of the auction

The bid is part of Saffronart's weekly auction series called Absolute Tuesdays that focuses on jewellery, books, ceramics, art, and more. On sale are 50 artworks by veteran artists FN Souza, Jehangir Sabavala, Akbar Padamsee, Thota Vaikuntam, Senaka Senanayake, Sudhir Patwardhan, Sameer Kulavoor, Rabin Mondal, and Brinda Miller, among others contributed by artists, collectors, and gallerists. The auction will take place on Saffronart's platform StoryLTD. The fundraiser follows Kala Ghoda Association's restoration efforts of heritage buildings. "This is the first time that StoryLTD has partnered with Kala Ghoda Association to help them in their fundraising activities. They aim to raise enough funds to maintain and preserve heritage buildings and other structures in the Kala Ghoda district and we are delighted to be a part of the process this year," Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and co-founder of Saffronart, signs off.

Sir David Sassoon Library. Pic courtesy/Wikimedia Commons

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