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By Gayatri Mehta

Obituary - Smt. Prafulla Dahanukar
Smt. Prafulla Dahanukar

Smt. Prafulla Dahanukar, a pivotal persona of Indian Art Fraternity, President of The Bombay Art Society, former President of The Art Society of India, The Artists Centre, Founder Trustee of Bade Gulamali Khan Yadgaar Sabha, Advisory Committee Member of The Jehangir Art Gallery, Founder Trustee of Lonavala Orphanage; a person connected with almost all art organizations of Maharashtra and Goa has left for her heavenly journey on March 1, 2014, after a brief illness.


She was a complete persona of art, having diverse interests. Besides being a world acclaimed painter, she wrote poems and had great affinity for music and Marathi theatre. 


She was always a friend on call, a guide on request and a help in need for one and many in the art fraternity. Always approachable in spite of her busy schedule, she was a buddy to contemporary Masters and a blessing hand for the upcoming and promising artists. 


Along with her many successful projects, she was instrumental in getting the land sanctioned from Govt. of Maharashtra for one of the oldest art institutions, The Bombay Art Society; she was the key person  to celebrate the centenary of portrait master Shri V A Mali and felicitate him with a sum of Rs. 10 lacs in 2011.


The art fraternity of Maharashtra owes her a great deal for bridging both worlds i.e. of contemporary abstract art and that of representational art. She had the keen eye to judge the best of both and that made her instrumental in shaping the careers of many contemporary masters. 

Mindscape by Prafulla Dahanukar


She, who most deserved acclaim for her dedication to art and her great and relentless contribution to the art fraternity, modestly but firmly refused to accept any reward or award or felicitation, proving her selfless affiliation to all the art institutions and organizations.


Her absence has left a mammoth vacuum in the art scenario.  She has left her imprint in all our hearts, which can never be erased. It is very rare to have someone like her, who was all encompassing and omnipresent in the art world. It has been a personal loss to all, who have been affiliated with her. 


Her bereaved family includes besides all artists, her ever supportive husband Shri Dilip Dahanukar and two daughters Gauri Mehta and Gopika Kartikeyan with their respective families.

She lived her life with full zeal to enjoy the moment-to-moment bliss and happiness. Her autobiography “Jivanand…” signifies her philosophy of happiness.


A condolence meeting will be held at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai on Mar.6, 2014 between 5 -7pm.

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