Paramjot Walia
Back to the Future of the Gallery
Synonymous to the awakening of modern art in India, and being one of the galleries pivotal in promoting art and artists over the decades, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi owners, Uma Jain and Uday Jain, reminisce and compare the changing landscape of yesteryears and future of the gallery and art business in India with Paramjot Walia. Paramjot Walia: How and when did you enter the Art world? What propelled you? Uma Jain: It was either destiny’s plan or a mere coincidence. Being a lawyer, my fancies were arguing matters in High court or Supreme Court and not being amidst paintings. Art was foreign to me till I married Ravi (Jain). Souza, Paramjit Singh, at times Husainsahab, senior art critics like Vinod Bharadwaj, diplomats, all used to be at the gallery off and on, so Ravi used to make it a point to have lunch with me because he knew
that was the only way I could spend time in the gallery.

That was my introduction to the Art world. We used to discuss art, artifacts and sculptures over chat and chola bhaturas, that’s how I learnt about art. I feel if you ask me today which is my primary profession, I might choose
“Art” over “Law.” PW: How was it working with the pioneers of the art world? Any fond memory you’d like to share?
UJ: It is such a treat to look back, remember and relish the fondness we had for each other. The artists and the
gallery shared a warm and friendly bond which wasn’t defined by pure cut and dry business. I remember all
the decoration in my wedding was done by SwamiJi (J. Swaminathan). One particular instance which touched me was an
incident a senior artist narrated to me. He said, “O.P. Sharma, Vidyasagar and a couple of my friends told me that
they steal Winsor & Newton colors from (Ravi Jain’s father) Ram Babu’s shop, on cautioning Ram Babu, he just laughed
and replied, “Koi zaroorat wala artist hi lega na.” This was the kind of feeling Ram Babu had for the Artists. I have witnessed many beautiful moments, one particular incident I would like to share; it was Holi festival, Souza and Swamiji came for lunch and they all had ‘bhang’. Two days later Souza came and showed me a double portrait of Ravi and me and said, “When Ravi and I were having bhang, your expression ‘what are they doing ?!’ is what I have captured in this painting.” PW: How did the attitude of collectors change over time? UJ: At that time, people bought art for the love of art, not for the signature. I tell the clients to come once, twice, thrice and when the painting begins to haunt you is when you should buy it. Now, for most people it is more of a fashion statement than a piece of art. Art is no longer valued for its ‘art’. Earlier collectors still don’t want to part with their collections because they relate to it; it is more than just an investment or a trend for them. Art has always been an investment, but that should not be the basic criteria. One should buy a work only if he likes it, only if he can relate to it and live with it, seeing it every day on the wall. PW: How did you perceive the changes in the Art market? UJ: Relationships were very good then and I would say the relationships are still warm and friendly, but nowadays, it is more materialistic.

Terms like “who can get a better price, better returns etc.” have started dominating the market now. We are becoming so obsessed with the monetary aspect that we are filtering the buyers from the art lovers (who can’t afford art). People usually question why I can’t keep pace with the market, but for us, selling art was never the objective. Dhoomimal is dedicated to the promotion of art and artists, market trends don’t really change us. This institution has survived during the 50’s and 60’s when there was practically no market for art and the gallery is surviving today too. PW: Dhoomimal is in its third generation now. You’ve handed over the baton to Uday, What differences have you seen in the strategies and working of the gallery from one generation to the other?
UJ: If I look back and see, there really hasn’t been a change in the attitude, whether it was my father-in-law or my
husband or me. We were, and I still am, possessive of the art and artifacts and don’t want to part with them. We aintained close relationships with the artists, the basis being promotion of art not sale.Uday Jain: I guess between dad and mom also there was a difference in the way they handled things. Dad was still a businessman at the end of the day, and she being a professional, keeping collections for generations was more important to her than sales or business. UJ: Uday is as passionate as Ravi and shares the same sense of possessiveness too, but he is more progressive and modern
in his attitude and outlook and tries to fill up the gaps which I left. For years I avoided auction houses simply because I
didn’t want to part with my collection. Uday deals with the auction