Collecting
new designations as they go up the corporate ladder is something that is common
to most executives. But, what many don't know is that these executives also harbor
a secret passion of gathering collectibles. The most common being stamps and coins
to airplane models, books, chess boards, comics, masks, rugs and paintings.
In
a new column - Collector's Item - we zero
in on what executives like to collect, the places they acquire them from and how
they nurture their interest on a regular basis.
In
the first column, we take a peek into
Cartoon Network Enterprises India and South Asia director
Jiggy George's numerous collections in a variety
of items. His plush office cabin is filled with a range of Cartoon Network merchandise
of Johny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter and other characters.
Apart
from this, Jiggy is an avid collector of comics, coins, stamps, masks and music
CDs inlays! "All of these passions have been there from a very early age.
I keep collecting and the only constraint is the size of the home," he says.
In
his Pune home, the first thing that one notices is the pink wall, which sports
atypical masks collected from different corners
of the world. Having travelled extensively to South East Asian countries, Jiggy
started collecting masks as a souvenir to remind him of all the places he had
visited.
"My
Pune home has a collection of 35 odd masks that adorn a wall and are reminders
of places travelled to. Besides, they are works of art from Africa, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Nepal and even from Kerala and
Orissa," he says.
While
he makes it a point to pick up masks from every country that he visits, his friends
too have now started adding to his collection. "Sri Lanka is one country
that I have yet to visit. But recently, one of my friends brought me a mask from
there as he knows about my collection," he says.
What's
more, Jiggy has a penchant to collect comics
too. "I also am huge collector of comics and that explains my love for animation!
I have the complete series of M.A.D., TinTin, Asterix, Amar
Chitra Katha and Calvin & Hobbes. I also have many Justice League
comics and a few Dilberts, Gary Larsons and Baby Blues Books.
All in all, they tot up to some 500 odd books," he reveals proudly.
He
also has a coin and stamp
collection, some of which were given to him by father. But Jiggy says that these
two collections have been stacked away in albums for a long time now. "I
haven't added to the collection lately. As far as stamps are concerned, I own
special collection of around 3000 stamps of India and Africa. I have about 100
odd coins including some rare ones that I hope will work for me as my retirement
pension. These, I have been collecting as a child and even used to exchange them
with like minded school friends," he says.
An
unusual passion Jiggy has is that of collecting CD inlays.
"Music is my other love. An anachronism in the days of digital music, but
I love inlays! I see it as an art and love to read the lyrics, the credit list
and any additional information that is on it. To the extent that I have also bought
books on inlays and found them very interesting. I have a collection of 2000 odd
CD's, which is an eclectic mix of rock, jazz and world music," he says.
By:
HETAL ADESARA
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