Artists oppose museum dedicated to R K Laxman at JJ school campus

He added that at least a month ago, a letter had been sent on behalf of the Bombay Art Society to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The letter had pointed out that since the time of its foundation in 1857, works of masters such as Pestonji Bomanji, Abalal Rahiman, Ganpatrao Mhatre and Vasudeo Gaitonde, had been added to the collection of JJ School, but had not been displayed for artists, researchers and students who visited JJ School from across the world.

“Two weeks ago, we met education and culture minister Vinod Tawde and he said that a few works of Laxman would be put up at the museum. Our argument is even if we are showcasing just one creation of Laxman, we are depriving other deserving stalwart the space their work warrants,” said Kamath. He added that he would soon send another letter to the minister, seeking a second meeting to discuss the matter.

Many artists based in various cities across Maharashtra, including cartoonists like Pune-based S D Phadnis and Mumbai’s Vasant Sarvate, have joined the movement.

J J School of Art is one of the pioneering institutes of fine art education in the country and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in drawing, painting, sculpture and modelling, mural, portraiture, print making, arts and crafts ceramics, interior decoration, metal work and textiles. The institute has produced some renowned artists namely Akbar Padamsee, Tyeb Mehta, Jeram Patel, Prabhakar Barve, Prabhakar Kolte, Atul Dodiya, Jitish Kallat and many more.

Gopal Jagannath Nene, secretary of The Art Society of India, said over 3,500 artworks by various legendary artists were in the possession of JJ School. These creations, he said, should be exhibited for artists, students and art aficionados for study and research purposes. A museum to display these works had been a long-standing demand, but because it was government college, things had been delayed, he added. “These paintings and sculptures have had no exposure since decades. So, how can we give space to Laxman’s works when his works have already been published for the world to see. Ideally, a space for a museum for his works at a different location should be acquired by the English newspaper with which he was attached for so long and that will be an apt tribute to him,” said Nene.

According to senior artist Suhas Bahulkar, who was in-charge of the JJ School artworks collection from 1976 to 1995, a GR was passed in 2007 under which a MoU was signed between the government of Maharashtra and JSW Foundation wherein it was decided that a museum would be constructed for the JJ School’s existing collection. Under the move, Bahulkar was appointed the chairman of the selection committee to select and categorise the collection. “Because of bureaucratic attitude, things kept getting delayed and eventually JSW Foundation withdrew from the project,” added Bahulkar.

Satish Kulkarni, secretary of Sanskar Bharati, Western Maharashtra, said, “Why have we suddenly dropped something that was decided and picked up something new? The demand for a museum for JJ School’s collection was never met. Now, the attention has shifted to something else,” said Kulkarni.