Lalit Kala Akademi celebrates 64th Foundation Day
The National Academy of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi – established in 1954 and inaugurated by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Education Minister of that time), celebrated its 64th Foundation Day on August 6.
In the event, which started with the National Anthem, Uttam Pacharne, Chairman, LKA, welcomed the Culture Minister, Dr Mahesh Sharma along with the eminent artist Padmabhushan Ram V Sutar and the founder of Sanskar Bharti, Padmashree Baba Yogendra by honouring them with bouquets and citations. Dr Mahesh Sharma also felicitated Baba Yogendra with bouquet and anga-vastra.
Eminent artists and art lovers in a great number attended the grand ceremony.
Inaugurating the event, Culture Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma said, “I congratulate the Lalit Kala Akademi on completing 64 years of serving art and culture of India. Establishing an art institution is a big thing but serving art for 64 years consistently with the same energy, dedication and enthusiasm is a task bigger than it and I feel that the Akademi has been true to its founding beliefs and objectives.”
“Currently, around 65% of the Indian population falls under the agegroup of 35-40 years and I feel very happy when I see the younger generation taking interest in arts. I am glad that the LKA is promoting art to the youths by organising various camps and competitions,” he added.
The Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi and eminent sculptor Uttam Pacharne appreciated the efforts of media persons who used to try to understand artists’ lives and write about them and on art events.
Expressing happiness on the 64th Anniversary of LKA, Uttam said, “An artist is a person who prefers living a carefree life but at the same time it demands dedication, austerity, and penance.”
Pacharne congratulated Akademi staff and art lovers on the occasion.
Dr Mahesh Sharma released the logo of the 12th Triennale India – scheduled to be organised by the Akademi in December 2018.
The event also witnessed the launch of a book on eminent artist Ganesh Pyne – “A Painter of Eloquent Silence” written by Pranav Ranjan Ray.
Congratulating the Akademi, the guest of honour for the event, Baba Yogendra said, “It’s a great achievement in the history of Indian art, and I wish it set more milestones in future.”
Eminent artist Padmabhushan Ram V Sutar congratulated LKA and all the people who have contributed in this long glorious journey of 64 years.
On the occasion of this spectacular celebration, the recipients of the annual Lalit Kala Akademi scholarship were also awarded it.
After the formal function, the participants were treated with a spectacular performance by the well-known flute and tabla player Chetan Joshi.
Earlier in the day a demonstration of clay modelling named AAO...MITTI ME KHELE...WAS organised by the Akademi at Dr Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya situated at the President Estate.
According to the Chairman, LKA, the purpose of this workshop was to inculcate creativity in the children. The children enjoyed thoroughly while making all kinds of models from clay.