Journey of artist Nilesh Mohite from peon to solo art show at Taj Art Gallery

Nilesh Mohite at home with his wife Meenakshi and daughter Ananya. Pic/Ashish Raje

Artist Nilesh Mohite's life is filling up with colour, quite literally. The artist stands on the cusp of his first ever solo art exhibition to be held at the Taj Art Gallery at the iconic Colaba hotel from September 24 to October 2. For Mohite, a humongous moment, recognition and proof of triumph over adversity and public acknowledgement of his artistic merit.

Mohite, 29, whose nickname is Sonu was born in a village in Raigad district. His father left the family when he was 5 and his sister was 1. The children, along with their mother eventually came to Mumbai, where she worked as a maid in different homes.

Mohite stated, "I enrolled in Colaba Municipal School but my mother's deteriorating health made me leave school, when in Std IX. I then entered a night school. "In the mornings I used to work as an office boy at Nariman Point for two hours, and then report for full time work elsewhere after which I attended night school." He added, "I would freelance as a waiter at night celebrations and dinners, earning Rs 150 for a stint, so I had to miss school. My dream was to see that my mother need not do house work and stay at home, for health reasons."

Challenges loom

"Our 8 by 8 shanty in Machimaar Nagar, Cuffe Parade could hardly accommodate my paintings. I would sit on a street corner or within the little lanes near home in the slums, and paint."

Mohite said as he needed money for art supplies, "I started working as a waiter at Cricket Club of India (CCI) a few years ago. Once, I was serving tea to an older gent and my supervisor caught me drawing on a paper napkin. Even as he admonished me, the guest asked to see what I was doing. I gave him the drawing. He was pleasantly surprised and asked, what are you doing as a waiter? He introduced me to certain well-known persons who wanted some art work done."

That tea anecdote literally translated to ‘the cup that cheers' for Mohite, who bagged a few art assignments. "I got paid more than I thought I would for those works," said Mohite. "Some industrialists did offer me money to elevate my financial situation, which was still precarious. I had to take up work in a Consulate in SoBo to support my family. Art alone was not enough. Yet, I used to always say: give me avenues for work, not money."

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Ratan Tata

Mohite, who is married and has a four-year-old daughter claimed, "I was always struck by Ratan Tataji, his dignity, and service to the nation. I used to stand near his office often, to get a glimpse of the great man. I stood on the road for a year but was too intimidated to approach him. I had sketched him getting into an aircraft. Then through some local political leaders and Colaba connections, I got a chance to meet Mr. Tata in 2019. It was such a stirring moment. I presented my sketch of him, as a ‘birthday gift'. He asked about my family and when I told him my background, he gave me a very generous amount that would even help me get a bigger home in Mumbai. I said though, Mr. Tata, I will not accept money. I want avenues for work." That was the start of some interactions with Tata.

Lifetime opportunity

This has led to Mohite being offered a sterling opportunity, "An exhibition at the Taj. Dreams do come true," said Mohite. He has worked on 21 paintings for the show. "I have been helped by so many good Samaritans on my journey. My family of course, my mother Lata, wife Meenakshi and my little daughter Ananya are my support. So many others helped me fund art supplies, given me money for frames, introduced me to well-heeled and influential people who gave me work. The list is so long. I feel blessed," he said.

Jyoti Badekar, general secretary, Mumbai Janata Dal (Secular) party said, "Even though his journey has been uphill, he helps the less-privileged who have art talent, to pursue their passion. I wanted to help a person like this. He is unable to afford a top-notch art college, and yet paint as well as those graduates because of his huge talent." Colaba local Cynthia D'Mello said, "Mohite's big break is the culmination of hard work and resilience." Marzy Parakh founder, Live To Give Foundation who has helped Mohite said, "What moved me most, was that Mohite said no to Mr Tata's cheque, and instead asked for some work. That shows his spirit, dedication and ethics."