It’s 3.30 in the afternoon when police inspector Mousami Subhash Patil answers the phone, her voice still heavy with sleep. “I had a night shift,” says the cyber cop, continuing the call anyway. Time, in her line of work, is rarely her own. And yet, she insists on carving some out.Late at night or in the quiet of early morning—when duty finally loosens its grip—Patil turns to her paintbrush. What began as a personal ritual has, over time, become a way to decompress from the intensity of high-stakes cases, including the 2022 Bulli Bai investigation. “Everyone needs a hobby outside of work,” she says, echoing the noted Marathi writer P L Deshpande. Until recently, few of her colleagues even knew about hers.They discovered it at the 10th edition of the Sahayog Contemporary Art Exhibition, inaugurated on March 27 at Kaladalan Art Gallery in Prabhadevi. Curated by artist Satyendra Rane, the show—conceived as a platform for emerging artists—brings together an unusual mix this year: established names alongside members of the police, civil services and legal fraternity.Organised in association with the Mumbai Police Welfare Association, the exhibition carries an added layer of purpose, with a portion of proceeds supporting police personnel. “Given the demanding nature of their service, it was important for us to acknowledge and support their contribution to society. This initiative allows art to directly contribute to their welfare,” says Rane. What struck him most, he adds, was the sincerity of expression. “It was inspiring to see how naturally they connected with art.”Among them is retired assistant commissioner of police-turned-advocate Shailendra Gaikwad, whose canvas captures the stillness of village life. Inspired by Chandamama comics as a child, Gaikwad returned to painting more seriously after retirement.”My daughter, Purva, is also an advocate. She too paints,” he says. Having sold two works at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Gaikwad hopes for a similar response at this show. “I’ve been told I need more practice,” says the 65-year-old, “but it brings me joy.”That sense of unfiltered expression lies at the heart of Sahayog. “Here, an artist is not defined by training or profession but by the ability to connect through creativity,” says Rane. “Art is not just about aesthetics but about empathy, and impact.”Across the gallery, the works—ranging from abstract compositions to landscapes and mixed media—carry traces of discipline meeting imagination. “There have been days involving emotionally challenging cases,” Patil reflects. “Sitting down with a canvas has helped me process those emotions and regain balance free of distractions.” One of her recent works, ‘Spiral of Colourful Soul’, created on Gudi Padwa recently, draws from “vibrant emotions and inner thoughts,” while another one titled ‘The Golden Awakening’ too is shaped by instinct and lived experience. “There is something moving about seeing a police officer, an advocate, or a civil servant express themselves on canvas,” says Rane. “It reminds us that beyond our roles, we are all simply human.”(The 10th Sahayog Contemporary Art Exhbition will be on at the Kaladalan Art Gallery in Prabhadevi till April 2)
