While driving up to the home of gallerist Rasika Kajaria, the first thing that catches one’s eye is an installation by artist Shambhavi, where delicately crafted butterflies are visible through large glass windows. Complementing this contemporary aesthetic are Ayesha Singh’s ‘hybrid drawings’ — largescale, outlines of architectural structures — displayed in the garden. Once inside, however, the tone shifts.
Pride of place is given to a cleverly painted Persian carpet by American-Persian artist Jason Seife, and an arresting antique brass Mukhalingam (a linga with a face) used in temples to adorn the Shivalinga. This interesting juxtaposition between old-world charm and new-age sensibilities also defines Rasika’s personality. “I don’t like being put in boxes,” she says, as we sit in her minimalist art-filled living room, catching up over cups of green tea and delectable homemade snacks.
“I like to be able to express different sides of my personality. You can see some fabulous senior artists like [FN] Souza and [MF] Husain as well as very young artists working with new-age mediums. I enjoy having these little surprises displayed throughout my home.
” The home, whose architecture and interiors have been done by Kohelika Kohli, was indeed a labour of love for Rasika and her husband Chetan Kajaria, the managing director, of Kajaria Ceramics Ltd. As the founder of one of India’s leading art Exhibit 320, which is now in its 15th year, Rasika has had a long an.