26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Celebrated artist Bhanu Shah passes away at 90
Ahmedabad: Distinguished abstract painter, designer and internationally acclaimed kite flier Bhanu Shah, passed away peacefully at his residence in Ahmedabad on Sunday night.
He was 90.
Shah, who served as the former director of Sanskar Kendra, was widely recognized for his philanthropic contributions through art. His notable achievements include curating The Kite Museum at the Kendra in 1986, which earned him international recognition.
A graduate of fine arts from MS University in 1952, Shah's artistic journey included over 35 solo shows and 52 group exhibitions globally. He was honoured with the Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar and Lalit Kala Akademi National Award in the late 1960s.
Shah's famous works include the Raga Series, a series of vibrant abstracts that he created in his 80s while listening to classical vocalist Ajay Chakraborty.
Shah's commitment to humanitarian causes was evident in his charitable works. At 86, he raised Rs 2 crore for Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI) through the sale of 101 paintings. In 2014, he donated paintings worth Rs 50 lakh to The Child Cancer Foundation, New Zealand, after he lost his father to cancer.
"Shah was the pioneer of progressive painters' movement in Gujarat," said noted artist Vrindavan Solanki, adding that Shah was an intellectual who brought literary scholars and his contemporaries namely Piraji Sagara, Balkrishna Patel, Mansing Chhara, Chaganlal Yadav, Jeram Patel and others to transform the city into a vibrant art hub in his times.
Anil Relia, veteran art collector and scholar, said that the quality of some of Shah's artworks are on a par with the creations of legendary artist V S Gaitonde.
Artist Amit Ambalal said, "He will be remembered for his childlike enthusiasm, active experimentation and unique designs across media." Esther David, writer and Shah's contemporary, said she hopes that as an appropriate tribute to Shah's contributions, The Kite Museum would be refurbished and named after him.
