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How has the changing landscape
in manufacturing mouldings for paintings affected the business? Says Adil
Gandhy who takes care of the manufacturing unit in Vasai, and the frames
shop, “ I am actually guilty of being unable to carry my father’s legacy
forward. The advent of plastic, fibre and cheaper imports has virtually
killed our manufacturing unit that specializes in wooden frames. Though we
offer a distinctive edge in terms of quality and finish, the less
expensive options in aluminium and fibre glass offer tough and almost
unbeatable competition. We can't even match the prices," he rues.
"Whereas earlier artists like Raza and Husain used to frequent the shop,
apart from buying frames, today the artists mainly buy the wooden strips
from us to get their paintings lined, the traditional frames have hardly
any takers," says Adil.
Gone are the days of yore. The complexities of
Mumbai trafiic, the vehicle parking vendetta, the humdrum of city life and
the sheer location of the shop in one of the busiest patches in the city
make it impossible for old-timers to come in themselves for their
requirements. Clients like Maureen Wadia, Tina Ambani, Parmeshwar Godrej
have their personnel pick up the material as and when required. A change
that has robbed the shop of its old charm -- that lay in the bond it
shared with artists and art lovers.
"I'm 60 and my children are settled
abroad. So there is no hope of this business seeping through the next
generation," sighs Adil. But doesn't every business require to be infused
with a fresh lease of life through reinvention? " The price undercutting
makes it a dismal scenario, truly," retorts Adil. A fact evident in the
rapidly ceasing production of unusual Chemould frames.
Truly, the art of living well and the art of survival are certainly ones
to perfect in competitive climes.
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