BHUBANESWAR: An arbitrary decision of the State Culture Department has shattered the dream of the artists' community on establishment of an art gallery at the Samskruti Bhawan complex in the heart of the Capital.

The department has decided to set up the gallery on the B.K. College of Art and Craft (BKAC) compound on the outskirts of the city on the pretext that the existing foundation of the two-storeyed Samskruti Bhawan is unsafe for having another floor.

Long-standing demand

Sources in the Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) revealed that it was a long-standing demand of the artists' community to have a gallery in the State Capital for exhibition of their works and for conduct of various art activities.

Accordingly, the akademi, an autonomous body, had endorsed a proposal to the Centre through the State Culture Department in July 2005, it was learnt.

Three months later, the akademi was informed by the department about approval of the proposal by the 12th Finance Commission for setting up of a gallery.

It was further informed that the gallery would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2 crores that would be released in four instalments, the sources said.

Funds released

With the culture director as its chairman, a project cell was set up to monitor the work. A meeting was also held in the presence of then Chief Secretary to finalise the shape of the gallery.

The meeting also decided to construct an additional floor on the Samskruti Bhawan with four separate blocks covering an area of 11,400 square feet, the sources stated, and disclosed that Rs. 50 lakhs was also received by the akademi for the purpose.

In an unexpected move, the akademi received an intimation from the Culture Department recently that the proposed gallery would be set up with construction of an additional floor on the existing BKAC building, it was learnt. The Samskruti Bhawan complex, adjacent to the State Museum, was the best site for setting up of the gallery for its locational advantage.

If its foundation were weak, a new building could come up on the sprawling site with the funds received from the Finance Commission, argued an official of the akademi.

The BKAC building was not even better, he added, and remarked that it would be ridiculous to set up the gallery on the outskirts of the city.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail