State Academies need revitalization for promotion of arts and culture
Rajendra Bora
Now is the time for the state government to start homework for revitalizing various Academies. Although the Academies, like Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, Sahitya Academy and others, are autonomous institutions, they derive sustenance and effectiveness from the support of the government. Therefore, much depend on how those in power perceive these institutions. The rich heritage of Rajasthan in all forms of arts –both performing and non-performing- need state supported autonomous institutions not only for preservation but for grooming of local talents and promotion of arts.
One of the failings of these academies has been that they have not only lacked desired financial support of the government but also lacked public support in their working. We have seen in the past that their headships had been distributed like charity. Unworthy heads of such institutions cannot bring any revolution. If we look at the past five years’ scenario in the state and the way affairs of the academies were conducted we have no hesitation in saying that these years were lost years.
The new government will now be appointing chairmen for the academies. It is obvious that those nominated would be from those very near to corridors of power. There would be political desires too for selecting certain candidates. No problem in that because many of those having political leanings could also prove to be harbinger of required change for bringing the academies out of their present rut. The main challenge before Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, would be to find out right person for right job. He need not depend on others for the selections as he is well verse with the ground realities.
Since the first six months of the new government has already gone in election mode now is the time that it acted decisively and immediately to revamp academies by bringing in people of merit. These are the institution for which no other criteria could be adopted.
It is important that chairman of academies should not only be the persons of artistic or literary eminence and knowledgeable but also hold good administrative acumen and have their heart in the job. We require eminent people as heads of these institutions who could stoutly take up the cause of arts and artists and those who could garner public support in the working of the academies.
Academies can’t be run like government departments. If the government moves ahead with this in mind and find suitable persons to head the academies there would be no dearth of any support from the society.
The art, cultural and literary circles in the state are awaiting the government action. The soon it comes the better.
(The piece appeared in Jaipur Live of The Hindsutan Times on May 25th, 2009)
Now is the time for the state government to start homework for revitalizing various Academies. Although the Academies, like Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, Sahitya Academy and others, are autonomous institutions, they derive sustenance and effectiveness from the support of the government. Therefore, much depend on how those in power perceive these institutions. The rich heritage of Rajasthan in all forms of arts –both performing and non-performing- need state supported autonomous institutions not only for preservation but for grooming of local talents and promotion of arts.
One of the failings of these academies has been that they have not only lacked desired financial support of the government but also lacked public support in their working. We have seen in the past that their headships had been distributed like charity. Unworthy heads of such institutions cannot bring any revolution. If we look at the past five years’ scenario in the state and the way affairs of the academies were conducted we have no hesitation in saying that these years were lost years.
The new government will now be appointing chairmen for the academies. It is obvious that those nominated would be from those very near to corridors of power. There would be political desires too for selecting certain candidates. No problem in that because many of those having political leanings could also prove to be harbinger of required change for bringing the academies out of their present rut. The main challenge before Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, would be to find out right person for right job. He need not depend on others for the selections as he is well verse with the ground realities.
Since the first six months of the new government has already gone in election mode now is the time that it acted decisively and immediately to revamp academies by bringing in people of merit. These are the institution for which no other criteria could be adopted.
It is important that chairman of academies should not only be the persons of artistic or literary eminence and knowledgeable but also hold good administrative acumen and have their heart in the job. We require eminent people as heads of these institutions who could stoutly take up the cause of arts and artists and those who could garner public support in the working of the academies.
Academies can’t be run like government departments. If the government moves ahead with this in mind and find suitable persons to head the academies there would be no dearth of any support from the society.
The art, cultural and literary circles in the state are awaiting the government action. The soon it comes the better.
(The piece appeared in Jaipur Live of The Hindsutan Times on May 25th, 2009)
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