MAMTA SINGHANIA

HELLO! SPEAKS WITH THIS PROMOTER OF SOUTH ASIAN ART ABOUT HER LOVE FOR THE CREATIVE FIELD, HER RENOWNED GALLERY AND THE DRIVE THAT KEEPS HER SPIRITS UP

You hail from and also married into a revered, conservative and highly cultured Marwari family. Yet, here you are, being interviewed for the tale of your brilliant life. Please share your journey. Although I was born in Calcutta, I lived most of my life in Bangalore, where I completed my schooling and college. I was fortunate to have a lovely group of spirited yet serious friends. The thought of marriage hadn’t crossed my mind at the time, but I soon found myself agreeing to marry Harsh in an arranged marriage. Although we were married in Calcutta, Harsh and I soon left for the US for our postgraduate studies. Upon returning, we lived in Calcutta for about three years before moving to Delhi, where we have since resided.

They say that in India, a marriage is between not only two individuals but their families, as well. And I’m proud of the union Harsh and I found. I hope my children inherit the dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit of my parents, tied with the old-world values of my in-laws.

How did you adapt to Delhi and living in a joint family? I was in my mid 20s when I got married. Even though I had grown up with a considerable lot of extended family, it was quite the update to marry into this clan at such a young age! We lived in a large household, and there was certainly some pressure on us, especially with Harsh as the eldest one in his generation. It was equally humbling and comforting, though, to absorb the guidance of those who had come before us. Initially, I was young and somewhat conformist, but I found my independence and footing with time.