What amazed the group of Delhi artists most was the fortitude displayed by the Rajasthani villagers, enabling them to sing and dance even in times of adversity. And this was the image that remained with them long after they returned from this arid hinterland.

``The difference between our living conditions is too much. Leading a life with assured civic amenities, one can't imagine how a significant portion of our rural masses live, till you go and listen to them,'' says Tamal Basu, another Delhi artist.

The trip was the second in a series of workshops that began inShivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Jelu-Jagadi, Imphal, Simlipal in Orissa and B R Hills (near Mysore). ``Their Story is aimed at bridging the chasm between the rural poor and urban artists,'' says Praveen Upadhyay, programme officer, VHAI, who is himself an artist.

``A pilot venture, it is part of our Khoj project, with financial support from Eze, Germany, to build on the traditional strengths of poor communities in remote and difficult areas,'' Upadhyay explains.

VHAI is a non-profit, registered society, which is a federation of 24 state voluntary health associations. It links together more than 4,000 healthcare institutions and grass-root community health development centres spread across the country. The organisation is heavily dependent on foreign aid for its activities. Over 81 per cent of its funds come from foreign grants, and the remaining 14 per cent is self-generated revenue through VHAI's printing press and distribution of its health education material.

``Through these workshops, TheirStory wants to increase the awareness of urban residents about rural India, bring the mainstream and the grassroots on the same platform, besides raising funds for the natives. Over 14 paintings and 45 portfolios of art-work done in the first workshop have already been sold after a month-long exhibition at Gallery Freedom, which ended on January 20,'' reveals Megha Sharma, VHAI programme officer, working with the Development Communication Unit of the NGO.

And gauging from the response of the artists, the message has gone down quite well. ``This was the first time that we got in touch with the economically challenged through VHAI. Villages in Madhya Pradesh are in a very poor zone and it was good to see the dissemination of education, health and other amenities to the villagers being done through the NGO,'' says Kalicharan Gupta, who came up with a few oil paintings after the sojourn. ``Fifty per cent of the proceeds from the paintings sold will go to VHAI. This is the only way we can help them,'' saysGupta.

Sudeep Roy, another Delhi-based water-colour artist, feels that most indicators of development are absent in the villages near Shivpuri. ``No health facilities, no education, no drinking water, no sanitation, no basics... All these are missing even after five decades of Independence. A visible symbol of their lifestyle is the structure of their dwelling -- a small, low-roofed hut, slightly higher than a goat shelter, where you can't even enter without bending. This is what touched me most.''

For Phalguni Das Gupta, ``the villagers' sense of self-respect is amazing. They make do with so little, yet retain their spirit to enjoy. We need to have a sense of responsibility towards these people.''

Dheeraj Choudhury, curator of the exhibition, recognises this responsibility. ``Our dream is to build bridges between the privileged few, and those at the grassroots, without whom we could not have been where we are. This workshop has given me a new strength. The 21st century will herald a new awareness forour next generation. Art can go a long way in creating that awareness,'' he feels.

``Some of the scenes of deprivation that we witnessed can't be put on canvas. Sometimes, it is better not to paint the people's sorrow. A better way to empathise with them is to donate a small portion of our income to them. That is what we are trying to do,'' concludes Roy.