First edition of Jai Imprint launched to celebrate life and work of versatile painter and poet Jai Zharotia

In memory and celebrating the life and work of versatile renowned painter and poet Late Jai Zharotia, a 5-day graphic workshop, "Jai Imprint Edition-1," is being organized from October 10-14, 2021 in which 16 eminent artists and print-makers from all over India are participating at Kaladham society, Greater Noida.

Jai Zharotia's family and an eminent print-maker, Sushanta Guha, conceived and curated this event. Mrs. Kanta Zharotia inaugurated the event as the Chief Guest. Roobina Karode, Chief Curator, Kiran Nadar Museum, and Eminent Art Critics Prayag Shukla and Vinod Bhardwaj were present as Guests of Honor.

Eminent participating artists Arpana Kaur, Gogi Saroj Pal, Ved Nayyar, Hemavathy Guha, Durga Kainthola, Ananda Moy Banerjee, Dattatreya Apte, Moti Zharotia, Siddharth, Raghuveer Akela, Tejinder Kanda, Avinash Agrawal, Jyoti Ranjan, Rajeev Lochan, and Sushant Guha were also present at the event.

On behalf of the family, Ajay Zharotia, artist and entrepreneur, spoke about maintaining his father's legacy and future plans of organising such events. He said these events will enlighten and inspire the upcoming generation through Jai Zharotia's monumental art and literary work.

Speaking on the occasion, Roobina Karode recollected her heartfelt last meeting with Jai Zharotia about the unique show Kiran Nadar Museum had been planning based on Jai’s paintings, drawings, and poetry. Veteran poet and art critic Prayag Shukla went down the memory lane to talk about his initial days with Jai until he made his presence felt in Delhi's exclusive art circle. He recollected how Jai could see tiny things around him which generally remain unnoticed and make it monumental through his art. It was tough to steal moments with Jai without a pen or a brush. However, his stamina and passion for drawings and sketches were unmatched. Jai's famous series "Lukman Ali" based on the poetry of his close friend Soumitra Mohan is one of the most outstanding achievements of his lifetime.

Art critic Vinod Bhardwaj stressed the need for compilation and documentation of an artist’s life and work. While fondly remembering Jai, one of his close friends and noted painter Siddharth said he was mesmerised by how Jai observed things around him, which was unique. He explained how Jai never saw the object's physicality; instead, he saw "Akash" (Sky) around it. For, the sky changes its shape in flux with the movements of the thing. He concluded by reciting a few lines of the Goanese song's Punjabi version, which Jai and his other friends were fond of.