Contours of Identity : Francis Newton Souza & Avinash Chandra, Exhibited at DAG Taj Mahal Palace Colaba

Contours of Identity
Francis Newton Souza & Avinash Chandra
Mumbai: 12th November 2024 – 3rd January 2025
Venue: The Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai
Monday – Saturday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Francis Newton Souza and Avinash Chandra are two of the best-known Indian artists of the generation born between the two World Wars. But they had more than this in common, as this exhibition explores.

Francis Newton Souza

One area of common ground is their status as émigré artists based in London. A founding member of the Progressive Artists Group, Souza left India almost immediately afterwards, settling in London in 1949. Chandra, after a brief spell of teaching in Delhi, followed him in 1956. Both retained strong links with India, but it was in London that they first established their careers and formulated their distinctive artistic styles and sensibilities. This had the same advantages and disadvantages for both. London gave each the freedom to explore aspects of his persona—including his Indian identity—away from the constraints imposed by ‘home’. On the other hand, the London art world of their time—made up of gallerists, critics and audiences—imposed their own expectations on them, precisely with respect to their Indian identity. Both achieved phenomenal success in London in the early 1960s but still had to contend with assumptions concerning their origins. Chandra later recalled being asked by one gallerist why—given that he was Indian—he didn’t paint elephants and tigers. Like Souza, he constantly had to negotiate the expression of the Indian aspects of his personality, navigating between cliché and Orientalism.

Avinash Chandra

Another area of common ground concerns the expression of their sexuality. In different ways —Souza perhaps more blatantly, Chandra more symbolically—both used their art to explore the potency of sexual desire. For some observers, this was another aspect of their Indianness, while for the artists themselves it was not a matter of race but just another route to examine their own inner consciousness. For us today, as we observe the similarities and differences between them, we find that each throws light on the other as well as revealing themselves.

Francis Newton Souza

Iconic Vintage Cars Take Centre Stage at AstaGuru’s Upcoming ‘Classics of Motoring’ Auction

Iconic Vintage Cars Take Centre Stage at AstaGuru’s Upcoming ‘Classics of Motoring’ Auction

AstaGuru is pleased to announce its next edition of Vintage and Classic Cars auction titled ‘CLASSICS OF MOTORING’ The exquisite line-up of rare vintage finds offers a drive down memory lane with cars that ushered in an age of engineering wonders in the world’s automotive history. 

Talking about the auction, Mr Muzammil Kazi, Vintage and Classic Car Specialist, AstaGuru Auction House says: 
“This auction is a rare opportunity for vintage car enthusiasts to acquire some of the most cherished vehicles from automotive history. Each car in this collection, from the iconic elegance of the 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine and the post-war sophistication of the 1946 Bentley Mark VI to the timeless design of the 2003 Porsche 911 ‘40 Jahre,’ represents a distinct era of automotive craftsmanship. For collectors and aficionados, this event is an auction to own a piece of motoring heritage that continues to inspire.”

The auction, scheduled for November 20-22, 2024, will offer a line up of vintage cars, including 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine, 1946 Singer Nine Roadster, 1946 Bentley Mark VI, 1947 Lincoln Continental V 12 Convertible, and 1948 Jaguar Mark IV among others.
A quintessential expression of British luxury and engineering, this 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Limousine embodies elegance with its classic two-tone cream and black exterior and meticulously crafted body by Thrupp & Maberly. The iconic Spirit of Ecstasy ornament crowns the front grille, complemented by gleaming chrome accents and distinctive Lucas headlights. This lot is offered with an estimate of 1,70,00,000 - 2,00,00,000

Embodying British motoring heritage, this unique Singer Nine Roadster captivates with its deep navy blue finish and classic design features, including modest chrome and brass accents, a black soft top, and rich maroon leather seating. A rare example, it stands as the only known original Singer Nine Roadster in India. This lot is estimated to sell at INR 20,00,000 - 30,00,000

The 1946 Bentley Mark VI marks Bentley’s post-war renaissance, featuring all-steel coachwork and refined British craftsmanship. Its elegant two-tone finish and luxurious woodwork interior exemplify timeless sophistication. It is expected to be acquired at INR 1,10,00,000 - 1,30,00,000

A symbol of American luxury, the 1947 Lincoln Continental V12 Convertible blends distinctive European-inspired design with powerful performance. Finished in a striking blue, this convertible offers a unique blend of elegance and classic Americana. This lot is expected to be sold at INR 99,00,000 - 1,11,00,000 
This selection of the upcoming auction caters to connoisseurs and collectors alike, promising a truly memorable auction experience.

About AstaGuru

AstaGuru Auction House was conceptualised in the year 2008 with the sole purpose of creating a safe and secure platform to conduct online auctions for Contemporary & Modern Indian Art. Over the years, AstaGuru has curated auctions encompassing diverse categories, our portfolio includes art, jewellery, fine silver, timepieces, textiles, celebrity memorabilia, rare books, numismatic, philately and vintage cars. In 2018, AstaGuru became the first Indian auction house to present an exclusive edition for vintage and classic cars. “AstaGuru has strived to successfully bridge the gap between prospective buyers and consignors by transcending the limitations of live auctions. AstaGuru imparts effortless transparency to the process of acquiring and selling art and rare collectibles. The online module offers bidders the opportunity to bid from the comfort of their houses or while they are on the go.

Institute of Contemporary Indian Art powered by Astaguru Auction House in Association with Namtech Fine Art present Himmat Shah- Innocense & Creativity

This exclusive exhibition showcases the profound artistic journey of sculptor Himmat Shah whose innovative works have left an indelible mark on modern sculpture.

The collection features an unique assembly of bronzes, all masterfuly cast at the renowned Bronze age foundry in London, where Himmat has skilfully worked for over two decades. The curation features seminal works such as 'Man from Moon' and 'Tirthankar'. Himmat's works from Tirthankar series transcent mere representation becoming iconic symbols of ancestral memory and spiritual guardianship

As per Manoj Mansukhani CMO, Astaguru, " This collection represents a legacy of artistic mastery, tanscending convention to engage with themes of memory, spirituality & individuality."

A condolence Meeting for Late Ameen Sayani radio presenter extraordinaire

Rajeel Sayani on Mic,Mohammad Wajhiuddin, Shehbaz Siddiqui, adv Zubair Azmi Director Urdu Markaz, Ambarish Mishra senior journalist presided over the condolence meeting held for Radio Presenter Ameen Sayani at the Press Club, Mumbai on 5th March 2024

A condolence meeting taazyat in memory of Late Ameen Sayani was held on 5.3.24 at Mumbai Press Club Azad Maidan C S T by Urdu Markaz. Present were Rajeel Sayani son of Ameen Sayani, his wife, Senior Journalist Ambarish Mishra, Mohammad Wajhiuddin,Times of India, Amin Patel MLA , Shehbaz Siddiqui, Rafiq Maniar Songs Collector from Kalyan. Rajeel Sayani told that soon an Autobiography in memory of Late Ameen Sayani will be released. Ambarish Mishra told that Sayani created a cultural revolution in India and Wednesday night entire India would come to a standstill. Wajhiuddin opined that a memorial should be built to honor his life work. Adv.Zubair Azmi promised that Urdu Markaz will organize a Amin Sayani Memorial Lecture for students of broadcasting and connoseurs of radio announcing. Azmi also shed light on the various facets of Sayani - as a music lover, spelling out his nuances of broadcasting and pronouncing that Ameen Sayani was an ardent protagonist of Hindustani zabaan, a Gandhian, and a true son of Ganga jamuna Tehzeeb. Amin Patel MLA mumbadevi assured the gathering that a chowk after Ameen Sayani will be named as per his family wishes. Also present were Shakil Belker of Right way Educational Society, M H Nazim, Tariq Khan, and several journalists from Marathi, Hindi and other language newspapers.

World Heritage property Afghan Church's facelift and reconsecration

The Church of St John the Evangelist, better known as the Afghan Church, is a church of Anglican heritage, that belongs to the Mumbai diocese of the Church of North India.[1] Located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, it was built by the British between 1847 and 1858 to commemorate the dead of the First Afghan War and the disastrous 1842 retreat from Kabul.[2] Memorials at the rear of the nave also record casualties from the Second Anglo-Afghan War. The foundation stone was laid in 1847; it was consecrated in 1858, and work on the steeple finished in 1865.[3] The church is located in Navy Nagar in the Colaba area of South Mumbai. It was designed by Henry Conybeare; architect William Butterfield was responsible for reredos, tiles, pews and screen; and the stained glass was by William Wailes.[4] In 2018, it was reported there are some 64 historic stained glass panels in the church in urgent need of restoration So the past 15 odd months the church was being restored to its former glory. A look at the renewed and reconsecrated Afghan Church after it unerwent a Rs 14 crore facelift gifted by World Monument Fund.