Osian’s — Connoisseurs of Art concluded its last and fourth auction in the city as a part of the Creative India Series. The auction had featured rare antiquities from Tanjore, artworks featuring Tipu Sultan and other important artworks of the Modern masters from Cholamandal, Goa and Kerala. Of the 120 lots put up for auction, 70 (58.33 per cent) were sold with a total sale amounting to `6,57,88,800; an average lot price being `9,38,697.
The highest bid of `60 lakh went for a nude by F.N. Souza, followed by a Fantasy series by K. Ramanujam, valued at `48 lakh.
The conclusion of the auctions marked an active return of Osian’s to the art market. The total accruals for the four actions were `40.9 crore. These sales have helped Osian’s position itself as the market leader in the Indian art world and third placed in the global market after Christie’s and Sotheby’s, which are world’s largest arts business and fine arts auction house.
Neville Tuli, chairman of Osian’s said, “The Creative India Series has captured the imagination of the art market and collectors by its boldness of conducting such historically-driven auctions during such a difficult financial period.”
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‘Don’t use Bandra ground for Fair’
ATEEQ SHAIKH
Mumbai, June 25
The Bombay high court on Monday ruled in favour of the residents of Bandra (west) against using Veer Jijamata playground popularly known as Rebello Ground during the Mount Mary Fair.
“Our PIL was heard in the court and during the course of hearing, the BMC assured the Chief Justice that the Veer Jijamata playground will not be used during the Mount Mary Fair,” said Vidya Vaidya, an activist from H (west) Ward Citizens’ Trust. The petition was filed last year just before the fair, which is held in September.
“Many thanks to our advocate Puja Thorat and Jennifer and Ossie who have been tracking the case,” added Ms Vaidya.
According to the activists, who are rallying to protect the last few open spaces in the city, this development will have repercussions on all the remaining playgrounds in Mumbai. “Around 90 stalls used to be erected on the ground and after the fair was over, the area would be severely damaged and the BMC every year spent lakhs to restore it,” Ms Thorat said.