Different strokes

Art lover conducts classes at camps and institutions in Dubai

Indira Jain is a teacher. She is not an arts teacher by profession because art is her hobby, her passion. She conducts art classes at various summer camps and institutions in Dubai.

Jain has, most of the times, used her talent to contribute to society in her own little ways. She has gone out into the villages in India during school trips and later on her own and taught art to the village children. She has also taught villagers how to make mats to sit on with old clothes like saris. Jain would then, along with her students, sell these on their behalf.

The lady has held many exhibitions in Calcutta, where she lived before coming to Dubai four years ago. Her exhibitions were mostly of paintings and handicrafts.

She worked on useful things, made out of inexpensive materials, as she wanted her things to reach middle-class people. She has sold many of her paintings and given part of the money to charitable institutions.

Besides monetary help Jain also serves people in old age homes. "I believe in remaining active. By the grace of God till I can, I will keep my art and work alive," says the teacher who dervies inspiration from the late Mother Teresa.

The versatile artist dabbles in fabric and oil painting, makes ribbon flowers, batik painting, ribbon bonsai, ceramic painting, stained glass, pottery painting, vegetable carving, doll making, crochet, embroidery, craft, vegetable carving.

"It all began when my Grade V teacher coaxed me to take part in an art competion. To my surprise my painting was selected for the school exhibition. That was a big achievement for me. It was such a boost for my ego that I started to work on my talents.

"After that I never let go of any opportunity to take part in such competitions. Every small art work was appreciated by my parents which encouraged me all the more," recalls Jain.