Fifty students from the Sheth Dagaduram Katariya English Medium High School, spanning batches from 1986 to 2007, have maintained their bond over the years thanks to their beloved art teacher, Shailaja Pathak. This enduring connection has culminated in a group exhibition titled Reflections, which allows them to revisit their classroom lessons—not just in memory, but through active practice.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition opened on April 23 at the Balgandharva Art Gallery and will run until April 25, showcasing works from alumni across generations. Pathak, who taught each of them years apart, imparted lessons that lingered long after they left school. "I began teaching in 1975 and retired in 2007. But, in truth, a teacher never really retires," Pathak remarked.
From WhatsApp to Gallery Walls
The alumni's connection has evolved from a WhatsApp group and periodic meet-ups into a collective exhibition. The premise of the show was to use art to reflect their current professional lives. "Many of them studied art with me from a very young age until Class 12. While some became art directors or interior designers, others chose entirely different professions. Today, they are doctors, engineers, architects working across fields. Yet art has remained a part of their lives in different forms. When we came together again, I told them, let us create something meaningful to reflect who we are now," said Pathak.
The resulting body of work spans the personal and professional. An orthopaedic surgeon painted an abstract knee joint. A medical professional working in IVF created works about life and nurture. Another participant depicted the human heart following her own surgery. An engineer translated the internal design of mobile chips into intricate compositions.
Return to Art After Decades
For many, this exhibition marks a return to art after years. "This is my first painting in 25 years," said consultant surgeon Chaitanya Waghchoure from the 2000 batch. "I have attempted an abstract interpretation of the knee joint. It is the only canvas I could manage over three or four days. While I don't usually get time to sit down and paint, I do engage with my artistic side through digital sketches for patient explanations, communication and charts."
For others, art has remained integral to their careers. Ketakee Goje, from the 2002 batch, painted terracotta plates illustrating her journey in designing webpages. "I studied art in school. Those early years stayed with me even as my career moved into a different space. I work in IT, leading a team of UI designers, but art has always been my foundation. These three plates represent key turning points in my design journey—moments that shaped how I think, create and evolve," said Goje.
Wide Participation
Over 15 of the 50 alumni are based outside Pune, in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Manipur, and even the US. They couriered their artworks to Pune for display on gallery walls.
