A child making a Ganesha idol 

He says, "The first thing [about being an artist] is that your observational skills improve a lot. You tend to notice details and quirky things that are happening around you. So, you take everything in. And like I keep telling people, it doesn't always have to be in a pretty place like Switzerland or Ladakh where only the pristine scenery excites you. Sometimes, it can also happen in the chaos of a city. There might be an oily puddle somewhere. Or it could be a broken-down ship. What I mean to say is that as you advance creatively, your sensibilities become such that you're able to see compositions [in everyday life]."
Khambatta adds that he has a firm belief that all creative people are generally peace-loving. That's because an artistic person's mind is not idle. It's not the devil's workshop. You are constantly churning out ideas for the next project. "So there's a constant internal dialogue, which keeps us occupied, thus giving us less time to think about things that aren't worth looking into," Khambatta says, adding that this also helps build a child's character.

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

A child making a Ganesha idol from coloured paper

But once you inculcate a kid into art, how do you sustain their interest? "Number one, keep showing them what's happening in the art world. These days, in a city like ours, a family outing is normally to a mall. There are very few people who would trudge to the Kala Ghoda art district on a Sunday and take their children to art galleries. It's okay if you don't understand some of the works. At least you see what is going on in the contemporary arts space to build up a sense of the subject," the sculptor tells us.

He adds that the takeaway for the children at this workshop will be learning how to make a detailed 3D idol from a simple and flat piece of paper. "Of course, right now I'm only using the Ganesha. But frankly, if there is a kid who sits and says, 'I don't want to make a Ganesha, I want to make something else,' I'll be very happy with that," Khambatta signs off, emphasising again how, in art, there really is no right or wrong.

ON August 25, 11 am
AT CSMVS Children's Museum, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort.
CALL 22844484

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates