by

Mukesh Khosla

South Asian art and painters have been in great demand at home and abroad. Sotheby’s and other noted art auctioneers have, in the recent past, sold works of noted artists from India and Pakistan. The growing popularity of artists meant there were more buyers in the market, which, in turn, led to a rapid emergence of art galleries selling the ‘works’ of these artists. There is an abundance of such galleries not only in India but also in London and New York, selling works of artists from South Asia. But are all paintings originals? Many artists have discovered, to their horror, that their work has been forged and reproduced, at times even brilliantly executed, and is being sold as original art. Verification of the work by the artist was never more essential.

In an era of fakes, from branded electronics to life saving drugs, from liquor to cigarettes and from designer labels to cosmetics, can art remain unaffected? Not really. For years fakes have been rampant in the Indian art market and forgers have been reproducing, with unrelenting dexterity, works of Raja Ravi Verma, Jamini Roy, Amrita Shergil, Satish Gujral, M.F. Hussain, Anjolie Ela Menon, Tyab Mehta and others with startling similarity. The artists have, by and large, been silent spectators. But no longer. Satish Gujral has taken the first step towards copyright protection of art and hopes others will follow suit.

Fake art is a global phenomenon. It emerged in India almost two decades ago. Back in the seventies the value of paintings was relatively low and the fake market was not lucrative. But in the nineties the prices of original works began to spiral up and so did the market for counterfeit works. Now in the new millennium forgeries are thriving.

Needless to say, Gujral confiscated the painting and contacted his lawyer. He sought the explanation of the gallery owner who said she had bought it from someone else. " I am not saying the gallery owner is lying. I give her the benefit of doubt and will try and trace the real culprit." If Gujral takes the case to its logical conclusion this would be one of the very rare occasions when one of the country’s premier artists will take the counterfeiter to court.

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