Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 17: In a shocking development, the State Government is shifting Art treasure of Jammu to Kashmir on the pretext of ‘inadequate storage capacity here’ and ‘suitable weather conditions in the Valley’.
The collection of significant Art works during the last 58 years, are being taken away from Galleries of the Kala Kendra Jammu to the so called strong rooms of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages in Srinagar.
This visible art treasure includes oil painting, acrylic paintings, sculptures, artifacts wooden works, modern Art, Basohli paintings and collection of the works of top artists of the country. J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages is custodian of these art works, which were on display in the Kala Kendra gallery.
A formal order for shifting of this Art treasure from the Kala Kendra Jammu was issued recently and process for the same has been started by the concerned authorities, official sources informed the Excelsior.
While the official order has the direction to shift these Art works from Kala Kendra Gallery, the decision of taking this treasure to Kashmir has been taken by the J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages on the pretext of inadequate space and hostile weather conditions for the storage here, sources added.
Ironically, these art works are being shifted to the Academy’s strong room at Lal Mandi Srinagar, which was flooded with water in September 2014 thus causing irreparable damage to historic manuscripts and other valuable things kept there whereas hot weather conditions are being listed as one of the main reasons behind not keeping these works in Jammu even as this problem can be overcome by simply installing an AC (Air Conditioner).
The art collections, being shifted from the Kala Kendra, include 300 paintings, 91 miniatures, 34 artifacts, 80 sculptors and a number of rare photographs.
When contacted, the Secretary JKAACL, Aziz Hajini admitted that the valued Art works of Jammu, including paintings, artifacts and photographs were being shifted to Kashmir in view of the Government order for vacating the Kala Kendra.
“The staff has been deputed to prepare complete details and inventory of these Art works, which are being shifted from the Kala Kendra and will be transported to Kashmir along with the Darbar move,” he said and added that the decision of shifting was on Government direction and he had no other option.
According to Soujanya Sharma, Administrator of the Kala Kendra Jammu, these Art works were occupying the space in Kala Kendra and a request was made to Government for shifting the same for organizing art related activities and workshops here. “We are in dire need of space and studies for organizing Art workshops and with the shifting of these works, Kala Kendra will be in a position to carry out the activities, for which it was established,” he explained but expressed his ignorance about the Academy decision of taking these art works to Kashmir.
The Minister of State for Culture and Education, Priya Sethi, who was initially unaware of the Government order as the same was issued during the last days of Governor’s rule, sought to assure that art treasure of Jammu would not allowed to be taken away and necessary instructions will be issued in this regard after consultations with the Deputy Chief Minister.
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