Veteran Sculptor And Painter Himmat Shah Dies At 91

Born into a Jain mercantile family in Lothal, Gujarat, Himmat Shah was equally fascinated by visiting archaeologists and historians as he was by traveling theatrical troupes and potters at their wheels. A visionary artist, he became renowned for his iconic sculptures and significant contributions to modern Indian art.

Himmat Shah brought an intense energy to every medium he worked with, whether it was bronze sculptures, drawings, or burnt paper collages. Even in his 90s, he remained prolific, creating drawings during the COVID-19 pandemic that offered a glimpse into the inner workings of his mind. Some of these works were showcased in *Ninety and After: Excursions of a Free Imagination*, an exhibition presented by Anant Art Gallery at Bikaner House, New Delhi, last year. Roobina Karode, director and chief curator of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) and special adviser to the show, described these drawings as "labyrinths of the mind, a graphic puzzle, if you will, that defy deciphering."

Mamta Singhania, founder-director of Anant Art Gallery, reflects on his loss with deep emotion. Fondly known as Himmat Bhai, he was more than just an artist-he was a force of nature.

"For over two decades, I had the privilege of witnessing his unwavering dedication, boundless curiosity, and the magic he brought to clay," she shares. "He was a rare soul-playful yet precise, always searching for something beyond. His work wasn't just about form; it carried a deep philosophical and material understanding, rooted in his belief that modernism was a leap from the familiar into the unknown."

The KNMA, which showcased three major exhibitions of Himmat Shah's work-including the landmark retrospective *Hammer on the Square* in 2016-released a statement earlier today mourning his passing.

"Embracing the 'emancipatory disposition of art,' Shah developed a distinct visual language that drew from local traditions while pushing the boundaries of form and medium. His prolific oeuvre-spanning drawings, burnt-paper collages, silver relief paintings, ceramics, and sculptures in terracotta and bronze-reflects both experimental rigor and poetic sensitivity," the statement read.

These early experiences shaped his artistic journey, fostering a deep connection to history, material, and form. They also instilled in him a lifelong spirit of resilience and creative exploration.