By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The decision of the Lalit Kala Akademi to close down its centre in Shillong has distressed the local artists, who, under the banner of Meghalaya Artist Forum, staged a silent protest outside the premises of the centre near Crinoline Swimming Pool here on Tuesday.
“Closing down of the centre will be a great loss to the artist fraternity of the region as it would deprive them of the opportunity and platform to showcase their talent”, president of Meghalaya Artist Forum, Raphael Warjri said.
Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Fine Art) is the premier fine art institution of the Government of India to promote, spread and develop Indian fine art culture. It is a non-profit, autonomous body, funded by the Ministry of Culture.
It is learnt that the Lalit Kala Akademi had sought a site for infrastructure development from the State Government which offered a plot of land beside the National Highway-44 while entering Shillong city. The land is a sprawling site of the Tribal Research Centre, Mawlai Nongkwar.
However, the Lalit Kala Akademi authorities preferred the land at Brookside, Rilbong which did not materialize till date leading to the decision to shift the Akedemi.
“The artist fraternity of the State and the region are sandwiched between the authorities at the centre and the State, and bear the brunt of closure of the office”, Warjri said while adding that the process of land acquisition should not be the hindrance to run the Akedemi which is functioning with proper establishment at its present office at Barik.
In view of the above, the local artists under the banner of the MFA had met Lalit Kala Academi authorities in New Delhi besides asking the State Government to ensure that the regional office of the Akademi functions from Shillong for the overall benefit of the creative artists of the region.
The delegation which met the director of Arts and Culture, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner and the Additional Chief Secretary to apprise them of the problem while demanding their intervention into the matter were informed that the matter will be taken up
with the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Arts and Culture and the reply will be made known on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Warjri also termed non-commitment and non-availability of the officers as another reason behind the decision to close down this centre while suggesting the government to appoint a local for the post stating that the State is blessed with qualified artists who can handle the academy in an efficient manner.
“Creative people of the region will lose on major facilities that have been set up in the State”, Warjri said adding that in the past three vital apex national institutions for literary, performing arts and visual arts were functioning in Shillong and catered to the entire Northeast.
“Subsequently after few years, the Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi were shifted to other parts of the region and now even the Lalit Kala Akademi, which has been functioning properly since 2007 is shutting its doors indicating isolation from the mainstream art circle,” Warjri lamented.