A Chance Encounter: My Meeting Santu Tekam

From 28^th May to 23^rd June an exhibition of Gond tribal art has been held at Lauderdale House in north London, entitled Santu Tekam: Nature’s Spirits. How this exhibition came about is explained here by Mane Kumria.

 

I was on my yearly trip, visiting my home town of Dehra Dun in North India. Dehra Dun for several years now, has hosted a wonderful, exciting Diwali Mela, completely free of charge as a result of which, it draws vast crowds for around a fortnight during this festive season. And a great time has had by all ages and class of people. Food from around the coutry can be had at modest prices and craft stalls showing an amazing range of hand made goods, together with others selling readymade clothes and India’s rich range of textiles and fabrics.

 

To add to this excitement is a range of cultural programmes all day, culminating in quite spectacular entertainment each evening, well into the night. Master craftsmen are invited to show their skills – their art or music or dance and teach school children who want to understand their works. Each craftsman brings a helper along who minds the store, while the master demonstrates his skills.

 

Santu was one such helper, keeping an eye on his Uncle’s stall – a master of Gond art. He had come along for the experience too, bringing with him his very modest portfolio of paintings he had created. I was taken with the vibrancy of the Uncle’s work but somehow, his work didn’t appeal to me. I asked Santu if there was other work, maybe smaller pieces as all the work displayed was vast canvasses. Santu then shyly, brought out his portfolio and showed me his work. I immediately fell in love with his work – and you can see why!

 

 

These were small works, but intricate in design. What struck me most was the playfulness in each of them – there was humour and laughter in these fantastical creatures I saw. They intrigued me and aroused my curiousity. I was hooked – I had never seen such work before. I bought a few pieces that day and went home. The next day I showed my purchases to a dear friend who was immediately taken with them so we returned that evening and I proceeded to buy several more of his art. After my return to London, these lay in a portfolio for a long time. But when I finally showed it about a year later, people wanted it. And so it went – I slowly sold these pieces, all the while feeling I ought to be doing more with such talent – but what? I was no art dealer;I had no contacts with the art world – in the meantime I had almost sold out of Santu’s work.

 

About 3 years ago, I chanced upon Santu’s visiting card in my desk drawer. On sheer impulse, I rang him and introduced myself. I didn’t need to do that he said, I remember you very well. He clearly remembered I had bought up most of his art on my second visit to his stall. I said I was interested in seeing some of his current work and within 15 minutes he sent me over 50 images of what he could do. And that was it…. the beginning of our working together.

 

As you can see from these examples, his style has evolved, but it is still unmistakably his!

 

Gond art painting by Santu Tekam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 years ago, I exhibited Santu’s work in Dehra Dun, in the foyer of a well known hotel whose owner was an art lover too. It had an interesting response, considering it was done on very short notice. The idea of doing something more for Santu stayed with me. His talent was beyond doubt and deserved recognition – his take on the natural world is unique. Santu is an Adivasi and his tribal art reflects both his ancient ancestory and his connection with flora and fauna which is part of his heritage. The Gonds are one of the oldest tribes of India, living right across central India.

 

 

 

About a year ago, another chance meeting, with Kiran Samra, a young British Indian graphic designer, has made my dream come true. With her skills and that of her friend Yash Bedi, another British Indian graphic designer we have been able to mount a very exciting exhibition of Santu’s paintings.. large and small on paper and two magnificent canvasses – which have been on display at Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG till 22^nd June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mane Kumria is the founder of Soma Books and is responsible for the art, textiles and craft on display at Shalimar Books.