NGO launches initiative for inclusivity in art

What might a swanky restaurant in Ludhiana called “Baklavi”, a plush interior store in Jalandhar “Shades”, an 11th standard student of Doon school and the organisation Soch in Jalandhar have in common? Their radiating passion for art and inclusivity!

Foyers of plush restaurants, art stores and design spaces across Punjab (and beyond) have been decked up with paintings, ceramics and arty notebooks bearing on their covers creations from artists as well as talented youths from the neuro-divergent as well as conventional communities. Many of these works have been created by youths suffering from autism, Down’s Syndrome and other conditions. These youths hail from Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and other cities. Their work could find a pride of place among the very best art/décor being produced in the subcontinent. Contributors include award winning artists like Mumbai-based 28-year-old painter Hrishikesh Vispute, Ritika Arora (who has exhibited at India and Dubai Art Fairs) and interior designer Rashima, among others.

Similarly, artists Vandit Jain (ceramics), painters Jay Khandelwal (Mumbai), Morpheus Nag (Chandigarh) and Kabir Vernal (Hyderabad) have also been exhibiting their art.

Retail patrons for the art include Shades interior store (Jalandhar), Glimpses home store (Phagwara & Ludhiana), Baristas (Jalandhar), Rosette home store (Jalandhar) and Baklavi restaurant (Ludhiana), among others.

A brainchild of the Jalandhar-based NGO Soch, the initiative to bring together artists from various walks of life, has resulted in a hearty nod from an equally diverse array of people – entrepreneurs, school students, retailers and philanthropists.

‘Artist in Spotlight —- Meri Soch Meri Pehchan’ initiative was started by Soch wherein an artist and their work is celebrated every month. While Soch had been hosting ‘Soch Ke Rang’ art spaces since 2023 – it gave way to the idea to celebrate a single artist per month —- whose works would be promoted by community members on all possible platforms, including social media. Anjali Dada, founder of Soch, says, “Soch Ke Rang was started in 2023. Very often, we in the neuro-diverse community seek inclusion yet forget to include the neurotypical community. The platform was meant to bring all artists’ work to the forefront, regardless of their condition. Forty plus artists pan India are now connected to Soch Ke Rang community. After continuous dialogues with artists, one of the challenges was that the people aren’t aware of their talent and work. That’s how the ‘Artist in Spotlight’ initiative started.”

Dada further shared, “Two young volunteers, Sumerveer and Ranveer, helped us organise the entire initiative. Ayan Mittal from Doon School put artworks on a notebook and homestores and restaurants agreed to collaborate and showcase the works, not just for ‘Charity’. We started this November with artist Vandit Jain, founder of the brand ‘Just Clay’, Ludhiana. He has his own studio and his popular ceramics are fitting additions to the classiest of dinner table spreads.”

Class 11 student at Doon School, Ayan Mittal, through his initiative ‘Khroma’, put three artists on the cover of art notebooks that he designed and printed. These are now being sold at the reasonable price of Rs 200 across myriad stores. Rs 1,40,000 has already been raised. Proceeds go to the cover artists and the NGO Soch.

Separately, art is being exhibited at Jalandhar, Phagwara and Ludhiana, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and even abroad through the personal initiatives of the artists.