Bhopal: Bharat Bhawan’s anniversary celebrations this year are much less grander than earlier. “It seems that organisers are just doing formality,” the artistes in the city. Members of the artists community in the city said that events like art workshops or camp and painting exhibition, centered on legendary painters are missing from the schedule of an eight-day celebration. Even the total duration of the celebration has been reduced to eight days from earlier 10-12 days.
Whether lack of budget or change of guard in the culture department has led to the scaling of the celebrations this year is anybody’s guess. However, Bharat Bhawan’s authority denied that the 37th anniversary of the prestigious multi-art complex is subdued this time.
Film and theatre actor Balendra Singh ‘Balu,’ told Free Press, “This is happening just because of secretary culture, Renu Tiwari. She is deteriorating the quality of programmes on the name of reducing budget. Instead of promoting our culture, she is discouraging them. This in turn is spoiling the image of the government.”
He further said, “Why we are inviting the theatre group from outside the state on the foundation. Don’t we have experienced artistes or theatre group in the state. Madhya Pradesh ke rangkarmi hamesha se upekshit hote rahe hai… be it Bharat Bhawan Foundation Day or M P Foundation Day.”
An artist, Anil Ijeri said, “We have been witnessing the foundation day for last 10 year. But 10 saal mein pahli baar kuch missing sa lag raha hai…. . This year, the number of events is less. Also, there is no camp or workshop on visual arts. The Bhawan has international-level of graphic studio.
So, at least a workshop or camp should be organised on its foundation Day.” “Bharat Bhawan which used to be abuzz with the activities during its Foundation Day celebrations looked almost deserted this year. A painting workshop was held last year. Even a graphic workshop was about to held this year too, but it was cancelled later due to budget,” said Keshav Raut, an art teacher.
“The officials of culture department are talking about bringing up of an international level multi-art complex, but fact is that we are unable to organise state-level events. They are just doing formality,” Raut added. Author Rampraskash Tripathi said, “ No doubt, the budget is an issue but I think another reason is apathy of governments whether it is of the BJP or the Congress towards culture.
The deterioration of culture started from the BJP. They don’t give more importance to the art field because they don’t get vote bank.” “I worked here for 34 years. I still remembered the work pressure was such that we were unable to go home for a week.” “On the foundation day, flurry of activities and the premises of the Bhawan used to be full to its capacity.
Artist across country used to take part in event. Nothing is left now. The number of activities is less. Ab sirf formality rah gaya hai…,’ said R R Yadav, an ex-staff of the Bhawan. It is true that we didn’t organise any art workshops or camps. But I don’t think so that the number or the quality of events is less.
This year, we are doing something new and innovative. This is for the first time that we gave chance to differently-abled children and artistes of our academies to perform in the event. We also gave chance to a tribal artist Suresh Kumar Dhurve to showcase his works. I think, we should something different every year. Prem Shankar Shukla, administrative officer, Bharat Bhawan