In last few years, Jey has been talking to many people on Facebook. Many people invite us for the painting project and it is Jey’s task to talk to the hosts and decide about the stay.
This t-shirt was painted in the thacker household with name of the family members
Our host in Bhuj was fixed through Facebook only. Actually our host Sanjay Thacker shared his photos from Rann of kutch which Jey liked the most and expressed that artologue would love to go to Kutch.
Sanjay invited us in 2014 but it took us a year to plan the travel and finally reach Bhuj. We were meeting them for the first time.
Luckily the day we arrived in Bhuj their talented son Meet was also at home. He studies architecture in Mumbai and was home for the winter vacation.
Meet drew a sketch of JEY.
A very simple family or should we say an Ideal middle class family who doesn’t interfere in anybody’s business, work hard, be honest and inclined to art and eager to expand their horizons.
We stayed with them for three days, talked about food, art, places, people and God and tried to understand why they wanted us to come to their home and paint. There has to be a connection somewhere and we found out.
Sanjay started his career as an accountant though his interest lies in painting. In his own words when he changed the career path from an accountant to a screen printing thing, he was ready to paint posters and survive if he was not able to earn enough from the business.
The final sketch
Sanjay has seen a life full of difficulties and he understands the value of money. A family who lost their house in the 2001 earthquake, a family with modest means had to survive the rough patches and they crossed the hard path with flying colors.
Wife of sanjay, lovely Deepaa bhabi was an ardent follower of God Krishna and she treated her god as a family member. That was a new aspect of worship we saw in our life.
The flowers and birds in the bedroom
Meet, the talented son was not only good in his studies but also a brilliant artist. He did a wonderful sketch of Jey in less than 20 minutes. He also had a few group exhibitions of his paintings and want to pursue art later in his career.
This work took around two days to complete
But as we get to know the family more, we realised it is Sanjay who is the real artist. He had painted and designed the walls in the house and it was he who wanted us to come and share our bundle of colors with them.
Sanjay also painted with Meenakshi
He asked us to paint in their bedroom. The reason he gave was an important one. he said, ‘’ Many people don’t understand/ respect art. So, I don’t want everyone to come and comment on whatever you make. I know what you can make and it will be beautiful. Make it in my bedroom so that I can see it and appreciate it.’’
Sanjay was quite happy paintings these flowers
He also explained that if he feels someone is inclined towards art, they will get the chance to see the artwork in the bedroom.
Sanjay had already made some birds in the bedroom and we decided to do something of which birds can be part of.
Meenakshi decided to make flowers allover the big wall so that birds can be adjusted into them.
more flowers
Sanjay was very excited with the concept and he also painted many flowers in the whole thing.
The whole wall filled with flowers and cute birds made by Sanjay earlier
For us painting in the House of Thackers was more of a relaxation than work. The food was amazing or should we say artistic.
Look at the photos and names of the dishes we ate in the Thacker household and you will realise how we enjoyed the food cooked by Bhabi.
Khari bhat, Green Mirchi pickles, Red Mirchi pickles, Guddama (mango and jaggery dish) Rayta and Roti
Baghareli rotli
The final breakfast fafda-jalebi
