Budding artists have found a true friend in
Shreen Malani. And art lovers have discovered to their pleasant
surprise that she has made shopping for a piece of art easy and inexpensive!
Shreen Malani, the director of Renaissance Gallerie on Cunningham
Road makes the launch of every art exhibition at her art gallerie
a gala, celebrity event. This time again, on December 30th,
Shreen is all set to open a new museum in Baliganapalli,
Hosur Taluk.
Bangalorebest.com spoke to Shreen Malani on the city's
art scene and future exhibitions.
Shreen's foray into the art world….. " Renaissance- revival
of art and culture- has been going on in Bangalore for the past
eight years now. The idea of starting an art gallerie just came out
of the top of my head! I met my partner at a party. She wanted to
start a boutique at this place. But, I suggested that she start an
art gallerie. I am an amateur painter myself and have done my honours
degree from the Royal Drawing School, but my knowledge of the
history of art is non-existent. My strongest skill is marketing. My
bad experience with my partner gave me the courage to go ahead with
my plans. I happened to meet another girl who has been very supportive
till today and we both together started to manage the show. We worked
really hard and, today, God has given me the returns of my hard work!
My business has got better by the day."
Why
are all your exhibitions like social events? " Yes, all my exhibitions
are like social events! It is my viewpoint that 'art is
not only for the upper class'. I have made art available to the
common man now and he can also afford to buy a piece of art from Renaissance!
I combine art with music, poetry, dance and invite people to
attend my parties. Even if they don't buy anything, they at least
come to the party and see the paintings. People can buy the paintings
here on instalments, so any one can afford to pick up something if
they want to and this is the secret of my success!"
What form of art is popular today? " There are two kinds of
art-viz, 'affordable art' and 'art with names'. I do
not distinguish between the two at all and treat both on par. People
usually like to go in for 'affordable art'."
The art scenario in Bangalore….. " I still remember the initial
years when I used to run behind the artists…it was really difficult,
but today, all the top artists want to work with me. The Bangalore
art scene has grown slowly and steadily. Today, I get people from
all walks of life, not just the elite. It has been very good for artists
because they have been able to earn their livelihood as I guarantee
50% sales everytime."
When she is not arranging exhibitions…. " I am partying and
socializing. I enjoy myself and it is a part of my business."
A
few emerging artists of the city…. " We have many of them. Yusuf
Arakkal and SG Vasudev, who are well established in the
field. New budding artists are Babu Eshwar Prasad, Ravi Kashi,
Suresh Jayram, Shantamani, Aziz, Anuradha Nalpat and CF John
to name a few. They are all going to be big people in future!"
Upcoming ventures…. " Yes, once again a new thing in Bangalore,
and this time it is a museum to be inaugurated on December 30th
at Baliganapalli, Hosur Road. The museum is going to be called
'Tillany' where we will showcase the art and sculpture of South
India called 'Southern Perspectives'. The paintings at Renaissance
cost anywhere between Rs 2000 to over one lakh."
Though the faces that turn up at this charming lady's surprise parties
look the same most of the time, the end product manages to be different
everytime! Shreen Malani's charming presence has enriched the
city's art scenario, bridging the gap between the artist and the more
down-to-earth art lover. The next time you want to buy an affordable
painting or sculpture contact:
3:28:18 AM 
surprise that she has made shopping for a piece of art easy and inexpensive!
Shreen Malani, the director of Renaissance Gallerie on Cunningham
Road makes the launch of every art exhibition at her art gallerie
a gala, celebrity event. This time again, on December 30th,
Shreen is all set to open a new museum in Baliganapalli,
Hosur Taluk. 
Why
are all your exhibitions like social events? " Yes, all my exhibitions
are like social events! It is my viewpoint that 'art is
not only for the upper class'. I have made art available to the
common man now and he can also afford to buy a piece of art from Renaissance!
I combine art with music, poetry, dance and invite people to
attend my parties. Even if they don't buy anything, they at least
come to the party and see the paintings. People can buy the paintings
here on instalments, so any one can afford to pick up something if
they want to and this is the secret of my success!" 
A
few emerging artists of the city…. " We have many of them. Yusuf
Arakkal and SG Vasudev, who are well established in the
field. New budding artists are Babu Eshwar Prasad, Ravi Kashi,
Suresh Jayram, Shantamani, Aziz, Anuradha Nalpat and CF John
to name a few. They are all going to be big people in future!" 
