“A solemn festivity”

Visionary painters are rare, said cultural theorist, artist, author and photographer Richard Lannoy on October 4, 2012 at the Prince of Wales’ posh Visitor’s Centre during the inaugural Jehangir Sabavala Memorial Lecture titled "The Quest for Visionary Art: A Meditation on Jehangir Sabavala.” Sabavala set the "gold standard” of the genre.

Lannoy who studied in London in the mid-1940s with Sabavala at the Heatherley School of Art recalls his friend as "a hardworking and conscientious student (who) worked with resolve. He was enormously focussed… He had a positive attitude about solitude… He was very good at listening to advice.”

Recalling how Sabavala toiled and evolved as a painter, Lannoy related how Leonardo da Vinci worked on the Mona Lisa for over 20 years, carrying the artwork with him when he travelled. "He never finished it… A good painting has a life of its own. It’s not just a picture on the wall.”

With Jehangir Sabavala’s portrait are (l-r) Adi Jehangir, Richard Lannoy, Shirin Sabavala and Cyrus Guzder; (below) audience
Photos: Nirmal Shah

The art historian showed slides of various other paintings and even frescos from Ajanta to show the "congruence, connections and contrasts” between Sabavala’s work and that of others.

Terming the evening "a solemn festivity,” art critic and author Ranjit Hoskote who has written extensively on Sabavala said the gathering was "a solemn occasion for all of us” but a festival as well "to celebrate (Sabavala’s) life and legacy.”

In proposing a vote of thanks businessman and heritage conservationist Cyrus Guzder likened Lannoy’s talk to "a magical experience… a thoughtful critique” of Sabavala’s works. Lannoy spoke not only of Sabavala’s art but his "persona.” Guzder termed Sabavala "a thoughtful, polite person.” He thanked chartered accountant Xerxes Dastur who assisted in drawing up the trust deed of the Jehangir Sabavala Foundation under whose auspices the function was held.

The Foundation’s objectives are "to foster, encourage and develop visual art and poetry (and) undertake such activities as will include but not be restricted to the publication of books within the abovementioned fields, the organization of memorial lectures, seminars, conferences and other events.” The trustees are Guzder, Aafreed Sabavala, Jehangir Jehangir, Adi Jehangir and Shirin Sabavala.

The pictorial invite to the event singled out for thanks Ajay Piramal and Dr Swati Piramal for digitizing the Sabavala archives and Jamshyd and Pheroza Godrej, Meera and Bhagwat Devidayal and Lavesh Jagasia for supporting the memorial lecture.