Maharashtra govt to back Om art centre and Aarey Museum, says Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar

The Maharashtra government is committed to the development of the cultural sector by promoting artists, art and art education, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said. She said big projects such as the Om The Global Art Centre and the Aarey Museum, being built in Aarey Colony, will get every kind of support from the government. She expressed confidence that the centre will add significantly to Maharashtra's cultural stature.

Shilprang-12, a national art symposium, was held in the natural setting of Aarey Colony. Pawar was speaking at its inauguration. Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, MP Ravindra Waikar, Finance Department Joint Secretary Sanjay Ingle and Aarey Milk Colony Chief Executive Officer Shrikant Shipurkar were present. Dr Narendra Borlepwar and Mayuri Borlepwar, founder presidents of Om The Global Art Centre and the Aarey Museum, were also present.

Pawar said Maharashtra has inherited a rich tradition of art, from the Ajanta-Ellora caves to Warli painting and modern painting and sculpture. According to her, art does not merely give a sense of beauty. It teaches people to think, makes them sensitive and binds society together.

She said the Om centre is giving artists from across the country a chance not only to exhibit but also to live together, create works, try new experiments and share experiences. At events such as Shilprang, artists from different states come together and offer a glimpse of Indian cultural diversity. She urged young artists to trust their art and experiment, to stay connected to their roots and also engage with thinking from around the world.

Pawar called women's participation in the field of art important. She said efforts should be made so that more girls get art education, opportunities for artistic creation and professional openings. Royal-style patronage for the arts is necessary, she said, so positive efforts will be made with Ashish Shelar to encourage artists. On the occasion she also assured that a positive effort would be made to move the subject of visual arts to the Cultural Affairs Department.

Shelar said that to promote the work of painters and sculptors, it is necessary to increase patronage and give strong support to their ideas. Indian painting and sculpture have a rich tradition, and the art world, the government and society must work together to preserve and carry it forward. According to him, visual arts and performing arts should both be considered in a balanced way, and visual arts should be given a bigger platform.

Shelar said the sculptures created at Om The Global Art Centre and the Aarey Museum are not mere forms. Emotional, sensitive and natural meanings lie behind them. Beyond appreciating the beauty of an artwork, it is also important to understand the idea, feeling and philosophy behind it. He said many artists, including senior painter Suhas Bahulkar, have kept alive the tradition of expressing broad ideas through colour.

According to Shelar, colour has special significance in Indian lifestyle, spirituality and culture. Colour composition is linked to human emotion, sensibility and philosophy. He asked painters to present Indian tradition, thought and outlook effectively through their works. Sculpture has shaped Indian culture through caves, buildings and many artworks, he said, adding that sustained effort is needed to connect the new generation with this tradition.

At Shilprang-12, 21 painters and sculptors from different parts of the country were honoured with shawls and mementos. They included Vinod Sharma, Suhas Bahulkar, Charan Sharma, John Douglas, Nilesh Wade, Pradip Jogdand, Ramesh Chandra, Sakshi Kadam, Anand Panchal, Siddharth Shingade, Nitin Mistry, Amarnath Sharma, Pradip Kamia, Neena Dewangan, Vaibhav More, Jagannath Mahapatra, Dilip Sharma, Yogesh Murkute, Maan Kafar, Ravikumar and Ketan Khutle.

A painting by senior painter Suhas Bahulkar was also unveiled on the occasion. After viewing the sculptures created at the venue, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar praised the artists' creativity.