Bombay Art Society should take initiative for an independent art university – Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the online exhibition ‘Colors of Independence, 75 Years of Art’ yesterday.
It has been our wish from the very beginning that there should be an independent university for arts in the state and the Bombay Art Society should take the initiative to set up this university, which will be fully supported by the government, said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the online art exhibition ‘Colors of Independence: 75 Years of Art’ organized by The Bombay Art Society. He also hoped that Indian independence would flourish in such a beautiful way. He also suggested that the Bombay Art Society should be renamed Mumbai Art Society while celebrating 75 years of independence.
The event was attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Vikas Kharge, President of The Bombay Art Society Rajendra Patil, Vice President Ramdas Phutane, Secretary Chandrajit Yadav along with artists and other dignitaries from various countries, 29 states of India and Maharashtra. The exhibition features 1645 works of art in 5 genres such as painting, sculpture, portrait, photography, video installation. The exhibition will be available online from August 15 to December 30, 2021, on the Bombay Art Society’s website.
The Chief Minister said that it was a matter of great fortune for him to see some of the veteran artists who were honoured by the society in Kalanagar. Although the artists have been struggling to corona for the last one and a half years, we are happy that the Bombay Art Society has provided an online platform for artists from home and abroad. Today, we will hold a meeting in the next eight days to decide on the expectations expressed by the Bombay Art Society officials, whether it is the establishment of an art council, grants or property tax relief. The Chief Minister also said that he would try to do everything possible in this regard.
The artist has a world of his own, which can never be locked down, he said, adding that he has the freedom to present his art, as there are no restrictions on creativity. He also said that there should be an easy way for artists to bring their work to the public.
At the event, Rajendra Patil, President of the Society, informed about the nature of this online exhibition organized on the occasion of Amritmahotsavi Independence Day, the participating artists, and its features, the awards given by the Society. Vice President Ramdas Phutane in his speech expressed happiness over the inauguration of this art exhibition by an artist. He said that there are many problems facing society and they need to be overcome.
Prof. Narendra Vichare hoped that the establishment of an art council would facilitate the work of all art institutes.
