With a long-standing tradition of art in her family, it was no surprise when Smita Chemburkar opened her own art classes dubbed 'Protsah', at her residence in Kushroobagh. Her mother is a Paithani saree designer and her grandma likes making candles and doing needle work, for which she has received several awards of appreciation. A young commerce graduate from Jai Hind college, Smita took to art, not something very many would opt for. It was her passion for artistic things that led her to take up stained glass painting and candle making.

" I joined a few classes where they taught me how to make candles, stained glass painting and all kinds of stuff. However, the end result was zero as I learnt nothing. They would virtually teach you nothing in exchange for all theujikh money they took. So I decided to stop. Thereafter, I started doing my own thing", says Smita. Through sheer frustration, Smita set up Protsah, which aims at developing independent talents and encouraging the artistic faculties of the youth. It is Smita's firm belief that, "Every individual is endowed with some amount of creativity and it is for us to discover our inherent talents."

For Smita, it is the process involved in creating art which is important. " I leave it to my students to develop the items themselves or else they will not learn anything", avers Smita. Working from home, she is very flexible when it comes to timings. At Protsah, one can learn stunning handicrafts which can be used as non perishable gift items. Stained glass paintings, which have become popular in the market, come in various forms.

As for the shades the students, mainly children, usually bring in the frames on which they work. With a fixed rate to follow, requests for customised intricacies are charged separately. You can also learn how to prepare napkin holders, jars and vase paintings, woodwork and pot priming. When it comes to Smita, there is no dearth of ideas. She once picked up a water pipe and transformed it into a beautiful vase. She uses material like M seal, dori, glass, papier mache, all of which are easily available. One can also learn candle making and learn as many as 8 basic wax styles.

Smita aims to expand her classes and open a full-fledged art school. "It is the one thing I desperately want to do. But setting up an art school is no joke, especially when you do not have a degree in art," says Smita. There are many hurdles to be crossed before Smita can realise her dream. But with her determination and talent, that dream may just become a reality.

Contact :

Protsah ; Brady Flats, Block II ,
Third Floor, Flat No 7, Petrolpump Lane,
Near Kushroobagh, Mumbai 400005

Telephone : 284 2185

By : Sharmistha Chatterjee