Honoring the life, legacy, and indomitable spirit of an artist who defied limits, transcended time, and inspired generations with his unwavering creativity and passion.
Himmat Shah was not just an artist; he was a force of nature - unyielding, vibrant, and ever-evolving. His passing at the age of 90 is an immeasurable loss to the art world, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. I had the privilege of meeting him at his residence in Jaipur. Construction was underway to install an elevator, a necessity given his age. The doctor had given him strict instructions - no climbing, minimal talking. But what the doctor didn’t know was that within this 90-year-old man lived a 30-year-old dreamer and a seven-year-old child, both fueled by an indomitable spirit.
In the blink of an eye, he was ready to climb to the third floor, defying any notion of limitation. And when he spoke, it was as if an entire universe of emotions poured out through the stories he had woven over 75 years. He spoke of his escape to the Girnar forests, his time studying in Gujarat, working in a temple, and creating the façade of an institution. He generously shared insights about his artistic process and even offered guidance on my own work. Himmat Shah’s artistic breakthrough came in his 70s, yet at 90, his vision only grew larger. When I met him, he told me that his new studio was under construction, designed to create larger-than-life works. His dreams were still expanding, untouched by time.
He was unstoppable, his positivity unwavering. He carried the spirit of a child of God - pure, fearless, and endlessly curious.
I am grateful for the time I spent with him. Those moments will stay with me forever - a testament to the boundless energy and wisdom of a man who never stopped creating, dreaming, and believing.
Rest in power, Himmat Shah. Your art and your spirit will live on.
(The author Bandana Jain is a renowned Contemporary Artist, Sustainable Design Advocate, and ESG Trendsetter with a decade of experience)
About Himmat Shah -
Himmat Shah was a pioneering Indian modernist sculptor and draftsman known for his exploration of materiality and form. He created monumental murals in brick, cement, and concrete before transitioning into sculptures in plaster, terracotta, ceramics, and bronze.
Shah’s mastery of materials, particularly terracotta and bronze, set him apart in the Indian art landscape. He is best known for his series of sculpted heads, which capture a deep sense of history, anonymity, and timelessness. These heads, often marked with cryptic engravings, eroded textures, and unfinished forms, evoke a sense of the ancient while remaining firmly modernist in approach. His work with terracotta and bronze explores the fragility and resilience of human existence, embodying the passage of time.
His terracotta and bronze sculptures, particularly his enigmatic metal heads, have become iconic in Indian modernist art. In addition to sculpture, Shah also experimented with burnt paper collages, a unique medium where he created layered compositions with charred edges and delicate textures.
Over the decades, Shah’s works have been showcased in prestigious exhibitions, including the Paris Biennale and the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art’s 2016 retrospective, Hammer on the Square.