They like to make colourful figurative compositions rather than abstractions. I want them to master the techniques so that they can take to commercial art as career options after release,' De told IANS. She visits the jail every Friday for two hours.

Suraj, a young undertrial from Uttar Pradesh, is an expert calligraphist. He usually incorporates texts into the art works. Dipu, another inmate from Bihar, treats his subjects with innovation. A portrait of Mother Teresa in water colour that the inmate has drawn looks at the world with one larger-than-life eye, while a traditional Indian woman has a lotus for a head.

'What's wrong if Mother Teresa looks at the world with one big eye? I like to portray my figures differently because I think of ways to depart from tradition every time I paint,' Dipu told IANS.

The group is excited about the exhibition though they may not be able to see it in person.

'I will show them a video recording of the exhibition,' Anubhav Nath, the head of the Ramchander Nath Foundation, told IANS.

'Tihar is a place where people generally do not like to go. But those who have gone there for various reasons cannot be socially, culturally and politically ostracised. My intention is to rehabilitate them through art,' Nath said. He conceived the project two years ago and 'the jail authorities were more than cooperative'.

This is the first mega exhibition that the Delhi Prisons and the Foundation are hosting to display Tihar art. 'They have never exhibited before with leading names,' Nath said.

More than 50 NGOs are working at Tihar for the welfare of the inmates.

Art is proving a great healer, said superintendent Meena. 'The aggression, depression and the propensity to violence have been replaced by creative spirit. They love to paint and the colours soothe their nerves. In fact, some of them can establish themselves as artists if they get a little help after they complete their terms.'

Nath has managed to set up one ex-inmate as an apprentice with a leading Delhi-based contemporary artist after he was released a few months ago.

(Madhusree Chatterjee can be contacted at madhu.c@ians.in)