Modi-endorsed artwork sells for Rs 1.30 cr at charity auction

An artwork "co-created" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with artist Satish Gupta has fetched a whopping Rs 1.30 crore at a charity auction here, organisers said today.
The auction "India on Canvas" by Khushii, an NGO headed by cricket legend Kapil Dev conducted last evening at the British High Commissioner's residence here, fetched "far more than what was anticipated, with several works fetching more than their expected price."
"75 per cent of the works were sold, amongst which of special interest was the work created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and artist Satish Gupta which was auctioned for Rs 1.30 crore," organisers said in a statement.

Gupta had previously described his work titled "Om Namo Shivay, as a "mix of painting and sculpture intended as a tribute to Lord Shiva."
"Om Namo Shivay is the chant for Lord Shiva. The PM has also been called NaMo, I have tried to link the two in my artwork. The PM appreciated my work and has actually painted a few strokes on the canvas," Gupta said.
"An artwork created by Shahrukh Khan with Chintan Upadhyay and the children supported by Khushii went for Rs 36 lakh," organisers said.

The auction conducted by global auctioneers Sotheby's was attended by attended by over 1,200 people including HRD Minister Smriti Irani, industrialists Gautam Singhania, Atul and Aarti Kirloskar, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Dr Naresh Trehan, and Bindu Kapoor.

Noted personalties who have collaborated with artists in the auction include boxer Mary Kom and dance maestro Birju Maharaj and Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Participating artists included Akbar Padamsee, G R Iranna, Sanjay Bhattacharya, Anjolie Ela Menon, Paresh Maity, Jayasri Burman, Mithu Sen, Bose Krishnamachari, Manu Parekh among others.
Proceeds from the auction, whose base price was estimated at Rs 1.5 lakh, is set to contribute to the future of the underprivileged children.