Art Ichol Journal

Gift Of Time
There were frustrations, but no matter how hard the conditions became, we focused
only on our determination to get the job done and done well. Checking work in
progress throughout the day and rectifying defects continuously was necessary.
Nobody there knew how to construct a layout at site. Diagonals had to be checked.
Measurements had to be maintained. This was not the norm but, knowing that I was
dealing with untrained and inexperienced people, I expected it. Some requirements
cropped up while work was well under progress. We took almost every suggestion
into consideration. The Painting Room was added nearly two years into the project
on Gopika’s observation that, sculptors may work outdoors but painters and
photographers also need a separate studio. Other small changes and additions were
made along the way.
Many people have contributed to the success of this project. Mr. Romesh Pangasa of
Semac designed the RCC Framed structure with a steel roof skeleton and I found in
Narayan, a very creative designer who could turn inert material into a thing of beauty.
He is a sculptor, artist, interior designer and space designer all-in-one. He stunned us
with the works of art that he created from the junk he had bought at rundown Kabari
shops.
I had a lot of help undoubtedly, but it was Salamat Khan who was my sarthi. Just like
Krishna was to Arjun - always on job, ready with solutions, thinking on his feet and
most of the time, thinking ahead of us. He knew ‘what next’ even before we did. He
always planned in advance whether it was the need for material, men, machinery or
even finances. I was amazed to see that a person, with as limited an education as his,
could maintain accounts as detailed as those handled by chartered accountants and
possibly also put them to shame. I am indeed grateful to Salamat for his foresight and
integrity and to Parohaji who contributed day and night to the safety and security of
people and property.
I was fortunate to have found the experience of Chatter Singh and Neelkanth for the
electrical and plumbing work. They just happened to be in the region on consultancies
from Delhi and were extremely helpful. Several workers gave shape to the Ichol Art