Kiran Rao

Chintan Upadhyay

Dagar Pathway Trust

Vidyadhar Rajbhar

Film producerpurchased the work at a recent show held at a BKC school., who has been in prison for the last two years in connection with the murder of his wife Hema and her lawyer Harish Bhambani, is still a draw when it comes to his paintings. One of the painter and installation artist’s works, part of a recent exhibition of paintings by the inmates of Thane Jail, fetched Rs 4.5 lakh. The buyer was none other than filmmaker and actor Aamir Khan’s wife Kiran Rao. The painting Rao picked up features an elephant with long, brittle legs, and appears to have been inspired by Spanish artist Salvador Dali’s works.Jail authorities told Mirror that the exhibition, held at a city school on December 2 and 3, was part of ‘Art from behind bars’ initiative.The project is supported by, a children’s community service project that works towards promoting artistic talent among prisoners across the state. The exhibition was a part of a students’ project.The Dali-esque painting purchased by Rao was part of a couple of artworks Upadhyay had worked on about six months ago. The other painting is a blast of vibrant colours in a bouquet of blooming tulips, camellias and dry leaves.Rajvardhan Sinha, IG Prisons, told Mirror that the proceeds of the exhibition would go to the prisoners’ welfare fund. “We encourage these activities so that the prisoners learn to do something constructive. It can also lead them to think in a positive manner and pull them out of depression,” said Sinha.Upadhyay, said Thane Jail officials, has created more paintings, and these would be showcased at upcoming exhibitions. Thane Jail superintendent Nitin Vayachal said that Upadhyay was also part of painting workshops held every once in a while at the prison. He said that Upadhyay spoke gently and encouraged students to provide feedback. “He doesn’t want them to draw what they see, but what they feel - from imagination. Inspired by him, the other jail inmates have also taken up to painting and are doing good work.”Upadhyay was arrested for the murders on December 22, 2015. Four others have also been arrested in the case — Azad Rajbhar, Pradeep Rajbhar, Vijay Rajbhar and Shivkumar Rajbhar. The main accusedis still on the run.