Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata

Academy of Fine Arts
অ্যাকাডেমি অফ ফাইন আর্টস
General information
Location Cathedral Road, Kolkata
Address 2, Cathedral Road, Kolkata 700 071[1]
Opening 1933

The Academy of Fine Arts, in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is one of the oldest fine arts societies in India.[2]

Entrance of Academy of Fine Arts Kolkata

History

The academy was formally established in 1933[2][3] by Lady Ranu Mukherjee.[4] It was initially located in a room loaned by the Indian Museum, and the annual exhibitions used to take place in the adjoining verandah.

In the 1950s, thanks to the efforts of Lady Ranu Mookerjee and patronage by B.C. Roy, Chief Minister of West Bengal, as well as Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, the academy was shifted to a much larger space in the Cathedral Road, beside St. Paul’s Cathedral, the present location. Dignitaries artist Swapnesh Chowdhury became President,and Eminent artist Shri Sudip banerjee is secretary.

There are some famous paintings here like Saat bhai champa by Gaganendranath Tagore, Shiva with Ganesh by Jamini Roy.[3]

 Save Academy Of Fine Arts Platform

Dear Friends,

Academy of Fine Arts, the most prestigious art organization of Eastern India is in a critical situation where its survival is in question. Some persons with vested interest are using this sacred place of art and culture to fulfill their own personal gain and agenda. Some horrifying irregularities that had been observed during the last few years are as follows:-

1. The museum of the Academy which has more than 2500 invaluable National treasures, including about original paintings of Rabindra Nath Tagore, the original manuscript of “Bhanusinger Padabali”, Tagore’s personal letters in original, his personal belongings etc. Besides these many original paintings by Abanindra Nath Tagore, Gaganendranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Binode Behari, M.F.Hussain and works of other master and contemporary artists are part of the collection. The museum also boasts of a unique collection of “Rajasthani Miniature paintings”, Persian carpets and textiles. The Trustees under various pretexts have kept the museum locked for years. No maintenance work has been carried out and no has been permitted to enter the museum. Mrs. Nita Pillai, the only surviving daughter of Lady Ranu Mukherjee, has been trying to obtain permission for entering the museum but all her appeals had been turned down by the Trustees. Sri Uday Pratap Singh, Hon’ble Pro-Vice Chancellor of Viswa Bharati University also requested for permission to photograph the paintings of Tagore, but he also was not given permission to enter the museum. Though the museum is closed for everybody, the Chairman of the Trustee Board has free access to it and it has been observed that he visits the museum on his free will. Does the closing of the museum signify some dark truth? As the Chairman of the Board of Trustees had in one of his statements in a leading newspaper had spoke of theft of museum articles ! Yet no visible steps had been taken to take stock of the articles or take police action in spite of several letters to him !

Moreover, some paintings from the collection of Academy had been seen as exhibits in some other galleries and one of the Vice-Presidents had been allowed to have free access for more than 15 days of this treasure trove in order to take photographs of the artifacts for his own personal collection.

2. No audit report was passed since 2003. In the audit report that was last prepared by G.Basu & Co. the official auditors of the Academy, it was mentioned that paintings were sold in illegal manner and the stock-taking of museum articles was not possible due to inaccessibility.

3. There are complaints of gross irregularities and nepotism in the matter of allotment of galleries and auditorium.

5. 78th Annual All India Fine Arts Exhibition, the most prestigious annual event of the Academy, which is traditionally held in the 3rd week of December, was cancelled.

6. Many old members were not allowed to renew their membership in fear of losing power.

7. Evidence has been found that the Trustees have a dubious plan to demolish this Heritage structure in order to fulfill their real estate interest.

It is evident that a group of unscrupulous person has a dubious plan to destroy this place of pride and to loot its treasure. This can only be prevented by uniting people of all spheres irrespective of social and political differences and by protesting against this heinous crime. A group of artists and art lovers have formed a platform called “Save Academy of Fine Arts” in order to protect this pilgrimage of art and culture. As a result of intense movement by the members of this platform Trustees of the Academy were forced to open six exhibition galleries, which were under lock and key since December 2010.

The long-standing dispute of wage settlement of the, staff has taken a positive step due to this movement.

The 78th Annual All India Fine Art Exhibition has been slated to be held from 6 March 2011.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

Dear Friend, your active support and participation in this movement is the only way to save the Academy. Therefore, we appeal to you to join hands with us so that we do not lose another piece of our National treasure, the way we have lost the Nobel.

WE DEMAND:

1. Immediate stock taking and scientific evaluation of all museum articles by an expert committee appointed either by the State or Central Government.

2. Immediate opening of the Museum for the public.

3. All whereabouts of the original manuscript of “Bhanu SingerPadabali” , letters and personal memorabilia of Tagore must be made public.

4. Strong and stringent legal action against people responsible for any damage or loss of the museum artifacts.

5. A transparent system for allotment of gallery and auditorium to be adopted immediately.

6. All pending audit reports to be published immediately.

7. All members should be given a chance to renew their membership.

8. Resignation of all members of the Board of Trustees as well as the Executive Committee.

9. The formation of an autonomous body for the smooth running of the Academy under the supervision of the Government.

With kindest regard,

Members of “Save Academy of Fine Arts”.

Contact:-919831801653

Theatre auditorium

Russi Mody at the inauguration of painter Jahar Dasgupta's exhibition at Academy of Fine Arts

There is a theatre auditorium in Academy of Fine Arts which is one of the most popular spot for performers and viewers of the city. Since 1984, an annual theatre festival is organized here.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Dilip Kumar Roy (1 January 2006). Museology: Some Cute Points. Gyan Books. pp. 155–. ISBN 978-81-7835-410-1. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Academy of Fine Arts". kolkata.org.uk (website). Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Swati Mitra (2011). Kolkata: City Guide. Goodearth Publications. pp. 66–. ISBN 978-93-80262-15-4. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  4. ↑ "Academy of Fine Arts". Click India. Retrieved 28 August 2012.

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Coordinates: 22°32′35″N 88°20′43″E / 22.5429508°N 88.3453662°E / 22.5429508; 88.3453662

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