The devastating floods have further exposed the poor infrastructure at the Department of Painting at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit (SSUS), Kalady.
Numerous paintings, murals and works of art were either washed away or destroyed in the deluge. Students of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programmes have stepped up their demand for a permanent solution to the lack of adequate infrastructure in one of the major academic wings of the varsity.
“The already dilapidated department building, which was set up over two decades back, was heavily damaged in the rushing waters. Holding classes in the existing space, with asbestos roofing, is beyond our imagination. The walls are damp, power lines got snapped, and cracks have emerged. The varsity has estimated its loss in the floods, but how can you fix the value of a work of art such as a mural or a sculpture, which transcends space and time,” asked Yedhu Krishna, a final year MFA student.
Rinku, a third semester student of MFA, said the authorities had turned down their request to hold classes on a temporary basis at the interactive centre on the main campus, which was set up months ago for the entire student community. “Instead, they are now planning to start classes at the Kanakadhara auditorium. Why should they hesitate in providing us space in the interactive centre, which is better occupied to meet our academic needs,” he asked.
‘Alternate arrangements’
Saju Thuruthil, head of the department, said he subscribed to the demands raised by the students to step up infrastructural facilities. “However, the university has made alternate arrangements to start the classes from Tuesday. Space has been provided at the Kanakadhara auditorium and the old library space in the administrative block on a temporary basis. With the varsity limping back to normalcy after being hit hard by the floods, I have requested the students not to go on the warpath,” he said.
Vice Chancellor Dharmaraj Adat said the infrastructure woes faced by students would be resolved once work on the new block for fine arts programmes was complete. “We had expected that the work will be over in five to six months. But it got stretched owing to the delay on the part of the contractors. The new block will meet the infrastructure requirements of the students in the painting department,” he said.