New Delhi: Lalit Kala Akademi celebrated its 65th Foundation Day at the Lalit Kala Art Galleries of Rabindra Bhawan. Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Govt. of India, inaugurated the celebrations.
Inaugurating the programme, Prahlad Singh Patel congratulated the Akademi and said that this is an important moment when we can assess the journey of 64 years of LKA on how it has done in its chosen path to achieve the vision it was constituted upon. The Minister said that the Government of India and Ministry of Culture applaud the Akademi for the efforts it has put in promoting not only the modern and contemporary Indian arts but also the ancient ones. Citing arts as an exercitation, he said that It is a way to connect with the God, Meera did it by singing hymns, Tulsi did it through his writings and artists do so through creations. So, it must be realised that this practice will consist of positivity, hard work and curiosity.He firmly believed that we all must work together in order to achieve whatever aims and purposes the Akademi has for the arts. He also mentioned about the ongoing Cultural Mapping project by the Ministry of Culture.
Marking the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019, the programme began with a musical bhajan presentation followed by the felicitation of the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour of the event with bouquet and citation, by the LKA Chairman, Dr. Uttam Pacharne. The members of Akademi’s General Council were also felicitated on this occasion.
The ceremony also witnessed the gracious presence of the Chairman, National Monument Authority, Shri Tarun Vijay and Director General, NGMA, Adwait Gannayak.
Celebrating the 65th Foundation Day, the Akademi has organized various events including a Women-Artists Camp and an exhibition of eminent women artists’ paintings from Akademi’s permanent collection. The participating artists in the women camp include Sonal Varshneya, Gauri Vemula, Sujata Achrekar, Dr. Neeta Yogendra Pahariya and others. Eminent artist Ravinder Salve is the convener for the programme. The exhibition from LKA permanent collection exhibits famous women artists including Arpita Singh, Gogi Saroj Pal, Madhvi Parekh, Zarina Hashmi and others.
The Akademi has also put on display a unique exhibition of post-cards dedicated to the Indian Armed Forces. The exhibition showcases over 500 painted post cards and has been curated by artist-critic Bhupendra Kumar Asthana and his NGO called Saprem Foundation.
The exhibitions at the LKA Galleries of Rabindra Bhawan will remain open for public viewing till August 12, 2019, from 11 am to 7 pm daily.
