Mumbai: NGO Khushii to raise money for underprivileged kids

In a first-of-its-kind charity sale, NGO Khushii is offering a total of 75 art works at a flat rate of Rs 3 lakh each, to raise money for the schools it runs for underprivileged children.

This Friday, you could pick up a Husain, Raza or Souza for Rs 3 lakh.

In a first-of-its-kind charity sale, NGO Khushii is offering a total of 75 art works at a flat rate of Rs 3 lakh each, to raise money for the schools it runs for underprivileged children.

The works — by masters such as MF Husain, SH Raza and FN Souza, senior contemporary artists such as Ganesh Pyne, Paresh Maity and Sunil Gawde, and others — have been donated by artists, artists’ estates and galleries, and are worth a minimum of Rs 6 lakh each.

This is the third annual fund-raising art event by the NGO. Earlier events had featured auctions of art works created by artists and celebrities together. Interested participants may register with Khushii any time before the event begins, at 7pm.

The registration deposit is Rs 1 lakh. A lucky draw will follow, which will decide the order in which people will get to choose from among the works on offer. Those whose names are not drawn will have their deposit refunded.

“These days, it has become difficult to get people to donate, but we are hoping that an event like this, featuring such generous contributions from artists and galleries, will give participants every reason to give,” said Vivek Khushlani, president of Khushii. “They will not just own an art work at half its price, but will also have helped a good cause.”

Of the proceeds, 33% will go to the donor of the work and the rest to the NGO, which runs four remedial schools in Delhi accommodating 1,850 students.

“Our schools provide after-school tutoring, to help underprivileged children cope with the syllabus taught in the government-run schools they attend. We also provide uniforms and mid-day meals,” said Khushlani.

Among the artists who have donated works are Sunil Gawde. “I wanted to help Khushii in their good work,” he said. “Handing over a work for the event is my way of doing something good.”