Ms. HEMA GANDHI is a Chemburite to the core, her alma mater being St. Anthony’s High School, Chembur. She graduated with English (Hon), History and Sociology and pursued her education to obtain a Master's Degree in Ancient Indian History and Culture and a Diploma in Higher Education. After a teaching stint in school and college she settled down to a happy married life. Being a homemaker and a mother was an enjoyable and full time occupation for her but in  her spare time she utilized her education and academic interests   to promote the ideals of peace of the UN through MUNA (Maharashtra United Nations Association) and SID (Society for International Development). In her capacity as co-ordinator and convenor, she organized various competitions for school children and seminars for women and also helped in editorial work for their publications.

Life took a sudden turn and her life came crumbling down when she lost her husband, but with ample support from an affectionate family and supportive friends, she learnt to cope through this emotionally difficult phase of her life. She had to re-start her life again at the age of fifty, which seemed an uphill task. A job at N.J.D.C. Spastic Society of India, Chembur however turned her thinking towards ‘self-realization . Drawing immense courage from the Spastic youth their teachers and parents to take charge of their lives and train for a vocation for sustenance, she set out from here to join an independent venture with a childhood friend, Mrs. Nina Jagasia who provided her a work place to start art classes and design clothes. With constant support from good friends like Ms. Padma Ramamurthi and others, who have motivated her and promoted her creative skills in art through fabric, canvas & stained glass paintings. However, she has now established herself as through ‘Tanjore Painting’ for which she runs classes and also undertakes orders, which are customized for interiors. She has successfully completed workshops in Tanjore Painting for women and youngsters at The Fine Arts Society, Chembur.

Chembur being her ‘Karma bhoomi’ her wish and dream is to promote art in women and youngsters for ‘Self-realization - both as a creative pursuit and as a financially rewarding hobby.

The Art Classes besides specializing in Tanjore Painting include stained glass, ceramic work on Jharokha and pots and many other varieties. The charges are item based and the timings are flexible for ladies and youngsters. Workshops are held during vacations.

Tanjore Painting is an art form, which flourished during the Maratha period in South India. With royal patronage and with the. influence of the ‘Bhakti movement' this art form mainly revolves around Gods and Goddesses : the favorite being Lord Krishna. The painting is constructed layer upon layer and embossed with gold and studded with colorful gems. The backdrop is painted in bright colors. The alankaram or decoration in different hues and the gold and stones not only bring out the creative skills of the artist but also invoke an aura of divinity for the viewer. This painting enhances the decor and aesthetic value of interiors both as a decorative painting or as a religious picture in puja rooms.

Ms. Hema Gandhi is making an effort to revive this art form of Tanjore Painting and also to create an awareness of other folk art forms through exhibitions.