Neville Tuli

Neville Tuli (born 24 April 1964) is the Founder Chairman of the "Osian’s" Group of companies. The Group includes the Parent Company, "Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd." (Estd. 2000, closed in 2010) and its two Subsidiary Companies, being "Osian’s Cinematic Pvt. Ltd." (Estd. 2007) and "Osianama Learning Experience Pvt. Ltd." (Estd. 2009).

Neville Tuli
Born (1964-04-24) 24 April 1964
OccupationFounder Chairman, Osian's Group
Alma materLondon School of Economics, London
SubjectIndian Art, Art History
Notable worksThe Flamed Mosaic: Indian Contemporary Painting

Initial endeavours and Osian art fund

Also see Osian art fund scam

Little is known of Tuli's background except for what he claimed in interviews.[1] He was born in India and subsequently underwent graduation from LSE in London. Thereafter, in interviews, he admitted to having learnt little in college and more at Ladbrokes where he gambled on horses, and also learnt more of the operations of binary networking and MLM schemes.[2] Tuli returned to India in 1993 and found an opportunity to cash in on the yet unexplored Indian art market.[3]

In 1996, Tuli established a trust called "HEART" (The Tuli Foundation for Holistic Education & Art) as a trust that would serve as an umbrella for the shell companies that he subsequently created for people to invest in art,[4] Its stated aim was "to help build a quality-conscious infrastructure for the Indian fine arts". In 1997 he wrote a book The Flamed Mosaic: Indian Contemporary Painting,[5] on the aesthetics and history of Indian Modern & Contemporary Painting. In the same year, he helped organise an arts festival in Mumbai called "The Intuitive-logic: A Festival of Indian Contemporary Painting" mostly using donations from wealthy patrons and the existing funds of his Heart trust.

Seeing a need and an opportunity in the recently opened up wealthy Indian upper class, Tuli began to create an art auction house and in October 1997, held the first large scale an art auction in India under the banner of "The Intuitive-logic II". The auction established record prices for many artists including Raja Ravi Varma whose painting fetched Rs. 32 lacs,[6][7] the highest price ever for a modern Indian painting. The catalogue published by them also set new standards for prices of art, documentation and design. Thus Osian's began to hold regular art auctions since 2000 as well as playing a role in deciding the prices for works of art, often through Tuli's own books and catalogues. Osian's has held over 40 Auctions during the past two decades.

It also began an "International quality Auctions and Art Advisory Services" in 2001 to generate the finance to support Osian’s work. this subsequently morphed into one of the many shell companies operating under the Osian group's banner.[8] In 2002, a sensational new market and awareness for the popular arts, especially film memorabilia was created when it was placed on the same platform as Indian contemporary arts with the auction – A Historical Mela: The ABC of India.[9] Subsequently, Neville Tuli acquired Cinefan [The Festival of Asian & Arab Cinema] and Cinemaya,[10] the world’s first journal exclusively dedicated to Asian Cinema, in 2004, to broaden its cinema-infrastructure base and to complement its vast cinema archives. The Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival of Indian, Asian & Arab Cinema[11][12][13] held in New Delhi now features on the International Film Festivals Calendar.

In a bid to gain publicity, Osian’s collaborated with the football tournament Durand Cup in 2007.[14][15] In 2008, the SEBI commenced litigation against osian due to its not having filed any papers for the art fund (Osian countered that their art fund did not fall under SEC's purview). In 2011, as investors from India and Dubai realized that they would not get their promised returns and were in danger of losing their principal, they started to file suits against Osian's art fund in Mumbai and in London.[16]

Post Osian art fund

As the art fund continued to come across financial difficulties and litigations due to an inability to give its investors the promised returns, Tuli moved over to other means. In 2013, he organized an auction of sports memorabilia, mostly related to cricket in Mumbai.[17][18]

In 2013 Tuli and Osian’s launched a website called osianama.com, containing information on Indian art along with a special search engine meant for Indian art.[19][20][21][22] In 2014, he organized an exhibition and auction of artworks of Indian & Asian arts, antiquities, books, prints, photographs and film memorabilia, which had been inspired by animals.[23][24]

As of 2017, Osian's continues to function through its New Delhi office.[25]

References
  1. "Osian's resurfaces, but creditors remain unpaid". Moneylife India. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  2. Neville Tuli: Chairman, Osian’s. outlookmoney.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  3. "Neville Tuli Determined To Create An Oxford For India". BRIC Magazine. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  4. Shahdadpuri, Deepak I. (17 July 2011) Osian's Neville Tuli | A Fading canvas by Archna Shukla. Indian Art News. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  5. Mehra, Sunil (26 March 1997) From Words To Figures The booming art mart has spawned its own subsidiary—the multi-crore art book bazar. Outlook India.
  6. Magazine / Arts & Crafts : Legacy of artistic splendour. The Hindu (7 February 2010). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  7. Visual Arts in India. goethe.de
  8. New Delhi News : Much more than just good cinema on offer. The Hindu (2 July 2005). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  9. "The Hindu : Low kitsch, high price". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2004. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  10. Cinefan is now Osian?s Cinefan. Hindustan Times (17 July 2004). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  11. Media, political system shouldn't draw lines on creative freedom: Neville Tuli | Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis. Dnaindia.com (7 January 2013). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  12. Bhattacharya, Ananya (29 July 2012) Osian’s Cinefan Film Fest opens to a star-studded reception! zeenews.india.com
  13. http://media.wix.com/ugd/5d03fd_2f8cd5ea1dc96adcd9039f0a9759a551.pdf
  14. Osian's joins hands with Durand – Economic Times. Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com (20 October 2007). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  15. IndianFootball.Com Interview: Neville Tuli. Indianfootball.de. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  16. "Campaign against Osian". Economic Times. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  17. Indian cricket opens a new leaf. Cricbuzz. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  18. Unique 1985 Cricket World Championship bat fetches Rs 4,50,000. Archive.mid-day.com. Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  19. Archiving Indian cinema and more through Osianama – The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (22 January 2013). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  20. India's Osian's Group Launches Online Film and Art Archive. Hollywood Reporter (14 October 2013). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  21. Osian's announces search engine exclusively for arts, cinema – The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (22 January 2013). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  22. Osian search engine for arts, cinema | Business Line. Thehindubusinessline.com (22 January 2013). Retrieved on 20 June 2014.
  23. A RARE DATE WITH ANIMALS - The Pioneer. Tuesday, 18 November 2014 | Pioneer
  24. An auction with animals as theme - Business Standard.Press Trust of India | Mumbai 17 November 2014
  25. Osian’s stocks up on Hollywood memorabilia – Economic Times. Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com (9 August 2006). Retrieved on 20 June 2017.

Bibliography
  • 1997, The Flamed Mosaic: Indian Contemporary Painting, Tuli, Neville, HEART & Mapin Publishing Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 81-85822-45-X
  • 1997, The Intuitive-Logic II: Modern & Contemporary Indian Paintings, Drawings, Graphics, Sculpture & Tapestry, HEART., ISBN 81-858225-06
  • 1999, HEART: Intuitive Logic – The Next Step, HEART., ISBN 8185822689
  • 2001, India: The Passionate Detachment, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 8190124706
  • 2001, India: Historical Lila, Mumbai, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206390
  • 2002, A Historical Mela: The ABC of India The Art, Book & Cinema, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206499
  • 2002, A Historical Epic: India in the Making 1757–1950 From Surrender to Revolt, Swaraj to Responsibility, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 8190124749
  • 2002, MMQ & Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206581
  • 2003, Forty Masterpieces 20th Century Painting & Drawing From India, Pakistan, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, Mumbai, sian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206598
  • 2003, FN-FN Figurative Non-Figurative Narration, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206635
  • 2004, Masterpieces & Museum-Quality III Indian Contemporary Paintings with Rare Books & Vintage Cinema Memorabilia, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206703
  • 2004, The Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series IV Indian Contemporary Art Paintings and Sculpture, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9781890206765
  • 2005, Indian Contemporary Art Painting, Drawing & Sculpture, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740038
  • 2005, Film Memorabilia & The Fine-Popular Cultures of India, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740083
  • 2005, Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series V: Indian Contemporary Paintings, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740113
  • 2006, Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series VI, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740120
  • 2006, The ABC Series Art, Book & Cinema, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740137
  • 2006, Forty Masterpieces Museum Quality Series VII, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740151
  • 2007, Museum Quality Series VIII, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740175
  • 2007, ABC Series III Art, Book & Cinema, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740182
  • 2007, The Masterpieces & ABC Series, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740199
  • 2007, The Masters Series, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740212
  • 2008, Indian Modern & Contemporary Art, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740229
  • 2008, Indian Modern & Contemporary Art, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740236
  • 2008, The ABC Series, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740243
  • 2008, Indian Modern & Contemporary Art & Craft, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740267
  • 2009, ABC Series Auction, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740281
  • 2009, Indian Modern & Contemporary Art, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740298
  • 2009, Indian Modern & Contemporary Art & Craft, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740304
  • 2009, Select Masterpieces of Indian Modern & Contemporary Art, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740311
  • 2009, Indian & Asian Antiquities & Modern Arts, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740328
  • 2010, The Masterpieces Series, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740342
  • 2010, 101 Rare Artworks from the History of Indian Modern & Contemporary Art, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740359
  • 2011, Creative India Series 1: Bengal, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740373
  • 2012, Creative India Series 2: Punjab & Delhi, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740380
  • 2012, Creative India Series 3: Bombay & Baroda, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740397
  • 2012, Creative India Series 4: Goa, Cholamandal & South India, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 8181740440
  • 2012, Osians -Cinefan Auction of Indian Film Memorabilia, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740458
  • 2013, The Osianama Series: Antq. Arts. Cine. Photo. Prnt, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740465
  • 2013, Forty Masterpieces Indian Miniatures & Modern Art, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740472
  • 2013, Dare to Care: A Charity Fundraising Auction for UNICEF, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740489
  • 2013, Osian's India's Glorious Cricketing Heritage, Osian’s Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740496
  • 2014, Icons: 2nd Cricket Heritage Auction, Osian's Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740526
  • 2014, 2nd Osianama Series, Osian's Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740533
  • 2014, The Greatest Indian Show on Earth, Osian's Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740540
  • 2014, All Creatures Great & Small, Osian's Connoisseurs of Art Pvt. Ltd., ISBN 9788181740557

Exhibitions curated by Neville Tuli
  • 1997, Intuitive Logic: A Festival of Indian Modern & Contemporary Painting, Mumbai.
  • 2004, The Underlying Spirit, New Delhi.
  • 2005, Revisualising India, New Delhi.
  • 2006, The Osian Asian, New Delhi.
  • 2007, An Historical Epic (exhibition in three parts), New Delhi.
  • 2008, The Osian Asian II, New Delhi.
  • 2011, Indian Contemporary Art: The Intuitive – Logic Revisited From the Osian's Collection at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland.
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