In India, a lot of good things get a bad name. Like charity, like NGOs, like natural calamity funds. So high is the level of distrust that the relief sent will not reach the real victims that instead of sending money, people prefer to give things.

But, when things also rot and don’t reach the victims, the sense of betrayal is heightened. It puts off the ones who give and alienates them into not giving the next time. The NGO sector gets a bad name for more often than not they are perceived as either trying to usurp or wrangle government funds.
An exceedingly well-healed friend’s mother would annually donate over `50 lakh to a temple rather than give it in charity. Her contention was that the temple trust managed schools, colleges, hospitals and community kitchens with that money, rather than lining the pockets of NGO types who sat in the coffee shops of five-star hotels and squandered what she called “her” money! I don’t blame her, especially when I hear and see reports of mismanagement and misappropriation.
Artistes and artists have always been at the forefront to raise funds when calamity struck. In earlier times, cine actors in Mumbai would take out processions through the streets of the city urging people to donate things and money for those affected. They would perch themselves on trucks and drive slowly as people would fling bundles of clothes and whatever money they could spare. Charity concerts would be held and ticket sales and donations were sent as relief. Apart from the money and material collected, it sensitised those more fortunate to share and be more compassionate. In addition, I have a lot of respect for organisations whose staff offer to donate a day’s salary towards natural disasters.
Artists for their part have something that has commercial value and can be bartered for money. Most artists regularly donate part and entire proceedings for charity exhibitions. When too many NGOs stepped in and started asking for paintings too frequently as a regular format and part of fundraising programmes in the last few decades, many artists started getting very miffed about it and started protesting that a part of the proceeds be given to them as well — after all it is not easy being and surviving as an artist.
The present occasion of the Himalayan disaster, too, saw many relief attempts getting thwarted due to sheer reasons of logistics and accessibility. And in such a situation, I am happier to go with the Prime Minister or Chief Ministers’ Relief Funds rather than the NGO way for the simple reason that at least whatever relief one sends, will be difficult to misappropriate in the government coffers, for the checks and balances are many. Government organisations are always at the receiving end of the media and people alike, and yet have to perform in all kinds of adversity.
This time too, artists have come forward with their gentle heart to give back to the society whatever they can. The week just gone by saw two major exhibitions as fundraisers for the Himalayan disaster. A major intervention by artists is a fundraiser that will end on Tuesday, Art for Uttarakhand, whose proceeds will go into the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Artists have donated small paper works, etchings and drawings for the cause. Senior artists have lent their might in one of the largest congregation of artists across boundaries of styles, ideology and formats. The moving spirit behind the show is senior artist Jatin Das, who has always been at the forefront of such interventions with sensitivity.
The other major show is the ongoing Spandan by Karma Art, which will share a large part of the proceeds with the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the Uttarakhand tragedy. “Let art make a difference in the lives of those affected,” said senior artist Niren Sengupta, who is among the 12 artists whose work is on display at the Visual Arts Gallery.
The show brings together nearly 60 works exploring exciting themes. Organised by Rajan Arora, the artists in the exhibition include Manisha Gawade, Shridhar Iyer, S.C. Ahuja, Roop Chand, Sanjay Soni, Prince Chand, Darshan, Radhey Shyam, N. Young among others. These senior and emerging artists have explored themes, which are an interesting mix of figurative and abstract works.
Many of the works strike the right chord between spirituality and peace. “We are better able to draw connections between artists and ideas, and create a more holistic and nuanced picture of the art movement today,” says Arora. “Art not only comes from the soul, but can also help souls in need. We feel deeply for the people where help has still not reached and we would like to extend our support to the PM’s Relief Fund,” says artist Manisha Gawade.
Both the shows comprised pieces rich in story, character and can easily energise spaces in which they are displayed. The prices the artists have kept are very competitive for it is truly art with a heart. I am happy to report that my work was part of both shows — good for my soul!

Dr Alka Raghuvanshi is an art writer, curator and artist.