ART: A SECOND chance for inmates
ON THE FIFTH DAY of ‘Tihar: Kalabhiyan 2017’, the Tihar School of Art and an art gallery, built in the premises of Tihar jail, was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Minister of Culture & Tourism, Government of India, Dr Mahesh Sharma.
The inauguration took place on the occasion of conclusion of the National art workshop that commenced on August 19 at Tihar Jail no. 2.
On the occasion, The Lalit Kala Academy showcased some digital reproductions of artworks by famous artists like A. Alphonso, Bhupen Khakhar, F.N. Souza, G.R. Santosh, K.G. Subramanyan, Majit Bawa, Tyeb Mehta etc, from its permanent collection.
Dr Mahesh Sharma congratulated the Tihar Jail Administration and Lalit Kala Akademi on taking such a commendable initiative. He said that this step will allow the prisoners across the country to express themselves through the medium of art.
“Through this endeavour, The Lalit Kala Akademi, wish to change the perception and treatment of the inmates as outcastes and pariahs of society,” added Sharma, who later paid a visit to the art workshop to encourage the participant inmates.
Minister of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of Delhi, R P Gautam told, that he had read in his college days that prisons are not to punish but to improve the prisoners, and today Sudheer Yadav and Setty have done the same through this Kalabhiyan. On the other hand, Director General (Prison) of Tihar, Sudheer Yadav thanked Lalit Kala Akademi for its kind cooperation in organising the event.
The Lalit Kala Akademi also donated its publications and films made on eminent artists to the Tihar School of Art for the reference to the inmates.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of Guests of Honour R P Gautam; Minister of Social Welfare, Govt of NCT of Delhi, Jai Kumar Jackie; Minister of State (Prisons), Govt. of U.P., Sudheer Yadav; DG (Prisons) Tihar, C.S. Krishna Setty; Administrator Lalit Kala Akademi, eminent artists Ram V Sutar and Anjolie Ela Menon as well as the curator of Tihar art exhibition and renowned artist Veer Munshi. Apart from them, numerous other art personalities and art lovers witnessed the event.
The inauguration of an exhibition of artworks created in this workshop will take place at the Lalit Kala Akademi Art Galleries of Rabindra Bhavan on August 26. The Lieutenant Governor, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Anil Bail will inaugurate the show.