The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inwardsignificance”. -Aristotle

Over the last few years, Crafts and Intangible Heritage of India have been introduced as the new optional subject for high school students. Organizations such as INTACH run heritage awareness programs through their Heritage Education and Communication Service that engage young audiences and train teachers in art education all over India. The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training has also developed extensive cultural resources for children. Practising and associating with arts at an early age could enhance the development of the intellect. The idea would be to introduce art education as a subject in primary and secondary schools as young minds can grasp like sponges and sensibilities devolved at an early age last lifelong. Also though freedom is imperative, the subject should not be taken so lightly that it is ignored, while focus and emphasis are as always on more “important” subjects.

India does boast some excellent fine art colleges; most of these are quite old. The Faculty of Fine Arts in the Maharaja Sayaji University of Baroda was founded in June 1950. Sir J. J. School of Art, the oldest art institution in Mumbai, was founded in 1857, a landmark for anyone who’s travelling in South Mumbai, Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art places a strong emphasis on the idea of “learning by doing”. Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, established in 1921, this institute gave shape to the culture specific modernism initiated by Rabindranath Tagore and carried forward by Nandalal Bose, Benodebehari Mukherjee , Ramkinkar Baij and their contemporaries, it contributed in giving direction to individual art activity in contemporary social space and fresh exposure and openness for experiment. Some new ones have come up, but are yet to make a mark.

H.A. Anil Kumar explores the problems and solutions to better art education in the Indian sub context. Dr. Ganesh Nandi examines the nuances of the “Pride of North-East: The Department Of Visual Arts, Assam university.” Lina Vincent Sunish talks about how it is imperative to unlearn the education once the education (art) is complete in order to create your very own and not get too influenced by what has been taught. Rajesh Punj talks to Bosco Sodi about his art practise and discovers that it is more about the process than the end product; A symbol of the journey. Then we have Pradosh
Mishra comprehend the work and style of Birendra Pani, in relation to his latest exhibition “Mahanadi”.

Uma Nair takes us through a journey through Tallur LN’s New Stone Sculptures, sculptures distorting and juxtaposing traditional icons to form contemporary ones while weaving mysteries and stories within, that may be imagined be the viewers or left partly discovered…. Then we have a report and a review.

There is a lot that needs to be considered and acted upon, let us hope the beginning of that process is close to a start.

Happy Reading.
Siddhartha Tagore