Renaissance man Ratan: Tata was as much a patron of the arts as a captain of industry | Mumbai News

Mumbai: Beyond his reputation as a business tycoon and animal lover, Ratan Tata's tenure as chairman of the Tata Trust has left an indelible mark on India's cultural landscape. The Trusts, which include the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Allied Trusts and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Allied Trusts, have spearheaded numerous initiatives in the areas of healthcare, education, environment and disaster relief. What stands out as particularly noteworthy, however, are her contributions to art and culture.

Tata continued the legacy of supporting the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA), an institution whose foundation was laid by JRD Tata in 1976. NCPA Chairman Khushroo N Suntook reflects on Tata's influence: “He was a great person with great compassion for the underprivileged for whom he created great institutions. He had a wide range of interests and tastes, from aviation to modern management systems and from classical music to jazz.

Under Tata's leadership, the foundations have maintained their support for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India. The Tata Consultancy Services Foundation has supported CSMVS with conservation efforts, digitization and archival research.

The Tata Trusts Art Conservation Initiative, a collaboration between CSMVS and the Tata Trusts, aims to develop and strengthen art conservation centers across India. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director General, CSMVS, said, “Like his legendary family members, the late Ratan N. Tata had also developed an interest in art and aesthetics and had helped the CSMVS Museum in organizing some pioneering international exhibitions.”

The foundations have also supported the Inspire India Project founded by Shankar Mahadevan Academy. Arnab Banerjee, Arts and Culture Program Officer at Tata Trusts, notes, “Inspire India has engaged over 1,600 children and enabled some of the students to shine and consider a career as a music educator.”

An innovative project undertaken by the Trusts was their partnership with the Mumbai Police Foundation to establish the Mumbai Police Archives. This initiative included establishing a paper preservation laboratory and training volunteer police forces in preservation and archiving practices.

Tata was the main sponsor of the Literature Live! Festival at the NCPA, which celebrated its 14th edition in 2023. The festival brings together authors, poets, artists and thought leaders from around the world to promote cultural dialogue.

In addition, Tata continues to support research and education through its continued support of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.