Hindustan times:Ashutosh Shukla

Bhopal:THE KEY to the suicide of tribal artist Jangan Singh Shyam seems to be a mystery woman from Kolkata, whom tribal artists know as 'madam'.

Madam or V Nigam has gone underground after formal investigations began into Jangan's death. Investigating officers have not been able to speak to Nigam as she remains elusive. Nigam was the mediator between Jangan Singh Shyam and Mithila Museum. She had also arranged for his visit to Japan.

Of Japanese origin, the woman is a widow who was married to one Nigam of Kolkata. She now runs a cultural organisation 'Vikas' in Kolkata.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) team, which is investigating matters relating to Jangan's suicide in Japan, has spoken to the staff of her NGO but Nigam herself was not available. Her staff maintains that 'madam' dealt directly with Jangan and she alone can answer the queries.

The CID officers said Mithila Museum used Nigam's services to access artists not well versed in English to visit the Japanese museum.