 | Guest column Dinanath Pathy |
Once, while returning home by auto-rickshaw after attending a travelling exhibition from Delhi, I casually asked the driver what his impression was about the wall paintings adorning footpaths in Bhubaneswar. His face beamed with excitement and he instantly replied that the paintings were simply excellent and he considered the painted walls as art galleries for general public.
I was taken aback at this focused statement. But left to myself, I was neither able to reconcile with the idea of a public gallery nor conclude that Bhubaneswar does not need to go for art galleries any more. While the auto-rickshaw driver could satisfy his aesthetic urge enjoying the ugly and loud graffiti on the wall while driving his cab, I was struggling for answers to several questions.
My issues were varied: What would a sensible tourist passing by the footpath galleries think? Would he consider them as good samples of Orissan contemporary art? If these would not, where could he then visit and enjoy authentic works of art in an amiable ambience?
The instant answers were three: the State Lalit Kala Akademi Gallery in the Orissa State Museum, the Central Lalit Kala Akademi Gallery at the Regional Art Centre, and then, the privately run Orissa Modern Art Gallery or Suvadra Art Gallery. None of these however, fulfil the basic aspirations and modern facilities that a standard art gallery should provide. The reasons are many — none have architectural compatibility for spatial balancing, no proper lighting provision and no storage facility to hold the collection.
Added to these makeshift spaces, there is also the Soochna Bhavan, the state information centre where art exhibitions are also held occasionally. Barring the State Lalit Kala gallery, others are spaces meant for hiring to put up shows.
Of course, Bhubaneswar has sumptuous and stupendous works of public art for viewing in its “old town” part. These are the mediaeval stone temples with their enviable architectural wealth and intricate facades. The graffiti on the walls in the town of “babus” — the seat of administration, no doubt provides a thoughtless contrast with these authentic and exquisite ancient emblems of Orissan art.
While the wall-paintings have been encouraged all around the city as part of a beautification drive by the administration and government authorities, these fail to justify authenticity or ethnicity of the state’s uniqueness in art. In the fast growing infocity, the northern extension of Bhubaneswar, there is virtually a precious little to be called art, except the faceless urban architecture.
The saving oasis is the open air sculpture court in KIIT, the creation of Adwait Prasad Gadanayak.
It is high time that Bhubaneswar should have a gallery (or a museum) for contemporary Oriya art. While I was the president of the State Akademi a few years back, I had mooted the idea of Odisha Museum of Modern Art (OMOMA) to be able to fit in the illustrious chain of world modern art museums. However there is none the Akademi can look up to pursue the goal or come up with better ideas.
In early eighties, the then newly formed Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) had embarked on an ambitious exhibition programme called Chitra Baramasi, exhibition round the year that survived only for two years. It was unfortunate that OTDC later could not realise the significance of savouring good food and good art together. It is a pity that none of the star hotels have art galleries and they only patronize touristy cheap art works on the walls.
Bhubaneswar is growing as a city; something we experience each moment; and modern art which is basically an urban syndrome, sooner than later should build its own nest in this city.
Will the babus who could hardly buy a work of art, do this? Corporate houses, which are financially capable need a push, a twist in their thinking mode, to go in for an art gallery. Within the babu’s domain, there is an instant idea for a gallery. If the government of Orissa could provide space, the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, could open their branch as they have done in Mumbai and Bengaluru. As a member of their management board, I have already loudly expressed Orissa’s cause.
A museum for modern art will definitely add aesthetics to the city culture and make the city proud of possessing rare works of art of Oriya artists. There is an aesthetic vacuum and this needs to be soon taken care of .
Once, holding his just published book on Kamasutra based on Odia palm leaf paintings, which he had co-authored with photographer and art collector Lance Danem, eminent writer Mulk Raj Anand, in a lighter vein, told me: “Dinnanath, one needs a lot of “black money” to achieve such a high quality production.”
Fortunately, Bhubaneswar has the single copy that I had bought from him for the B K Art College library. The opinion of this great writer and art critic also holds good for an art gallery. Unless one has enough “black money” ( I mean surplus money), who can buy works of art at such astronomical figures?
Of course, members of the art fraternity need to come together and join for the common cause so that a platform can be created where their works, when exhibited, make their name immortal.
Awaiting forever for something to be done, can obviously not bring a solution. A helping hand from corporates or government departments could come to the rescue in realising the dream of a well-facilitated art gallery. It is an exciting news that the income tax department, Bhubaneswar, will soon have its art gallery:
Will the other departments follow their example?
