Will Take Lalit Kala Akademi To All Parts of Odisha: Sudarsan

Bhubaneswar: Opportunity and promotion are the two mantras that internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik plans to sculpt his tenure around as president of Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi.

He assumed charge of the office on Monday.

“It is no less than an honour and definitely an opportunity for me,” said this youngest head of the state’s apex body for the arts. And this is no new association for him, having been an executive body member of the Akademi for the past nine years.

“I have worked closely with senior artists of the state and that experience will help me manoeuvre the space without much difficulty. I am sorted as far as plans for promotion of art in the state is concerned and will put in all efforts to create the right environment, the right platform,” said Sudarsan, who is already at work giving shape to his ideas.

He strongly believes in the adage, catch them young. “My life has been full of struggle and I am aware of the difficulties an artist has to go through to keep his art alive. With everything getting digitalised, opportunities are shrinking. Gone are the days when an artist could earn a living by painting posters and banners even while pursing their vocation. They have to be provided a platform to exhibit their works,” he said.

As a first step in this direction, the general council meeting at the Akademi office on September 19 decided to reduce the fees of Buddha Art Gallery, he informed.  It was on this day that his selection was announced.

Staff crunch also plagues the Akademi and a decision to increase the headcount was also taken in the meeting, he added.

While the Akademi is confined to the state capital, Sudarsan’s plans are not. “What I mean when I say about tapping young talents is reaching out to them.  Many rural talents die before they get recognition. Sunday Art Schools functioning in every district is a medium to spot and encourage them. Help of culture officers can also be sought for this purpose. Open exhibitions can also be inviting,” he said.

Stressing recognition, he said people proficient in our traditional art forms should be encouraged. “A certificate of appreciation goes a long way in keeping the art alive in the heart of an artist. This also applies to a girl making beautiful jhotis. It will help the art form evolve more with time and let the artist grow with it,” he said.

He would also like to study such art bodies in other states and incorporate the good practices to help youngsters get the right platform to showcase talent.  “A change in mindset and also policy are prerequisite for the air of change to blow in. I also plan to meet gallery owners in the city and other places of the state to create space and opportunities,” he said.

Sudarsan rued lack of research and study on Odisha’s art forms and felt the need for more seminars to understand their intricacies and beauty. “The highest state award for – Drahamparada – has not been conferred on artists par excellence for so many years. I want to regularise it and confer it on veteran artists. If need be, we will go to the court to sort out the things,” he said.

The Akademi had instituted the award in 1987. However, it ran into controversies in 2008. The matter went to the court. After five years, an executive meeting of the Akademi in 2013 decided to re-institute the award from 2009 retrospectively. But this decision could not be translated into action due to several unspecified reasons. Now, the matter is sub-judice.

“Besides senior artists and art critics, I would seek suggestions from people of all walks of life as their involvement will help to build a congenial environment for growth of art in the state,” he said.

Responding to controversy surrounding his appointment, Sudarsan said, “I was among those shortlisted by the selection board, comprising eminent people. Though the final decision was that of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, I see no politics in it.”

When questioned about whether he harbours any political ambitions, Sudarsan was quick to retort, “What I practice is definitely a political art form as my sand sculptures revolves around current burning issues, but as a person, I am apolitical.”

Besides Akademi, what will keep him busy is the Hockey World Cup campaign for which he has been roped in by the government. “From Puri beach to Biju Patnaik International Airport till Kalinga Stadium, sand sculptures will speak of hockey and Odisha while welcoming the players from 16 countries.  We are planning to create a beach-type effect with our art, which people will carry back home as memories,” he said.

Despite having earned recognition in India and abroad, a few of his dreams are yet to see the light of the day. One among them is a sand art institute and museum in Puri. Sudarsan is not happy with the land allotted to him for the purpose. He feels it is not suitably located. “I have requested the government for a land near the sea beach where tourists flock.  There are huge sand museums in Japan and the US. I want to start in a small way and create something on the lines of the Rock Garden in Chandigarh. I want this art form to be preserved and passed on to posterity,” he said before signing off.