Expressing concern over the decreasing number of persons taking to art and craft, Governor K Rosaiah on Thursday stressed that the richness of our art and craft should be passed on to the younger generation.
Addressing the gathering after presenting the Kamala Awards here, he underscored the need for recognition of artists and craftsmen. “Art and handicrafts are an integral part of our civilisation. Every village and every part of our nation are interwoven with our cherished craft tradition,” he said and added that crafts persons needed to be recognised for their valuable contribution to Indian heritage.
Lauding the contribution of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, who founded the All India Handicrafts Board and the Crafts Council of India, he said that right from its inception in 1977, the Crafts Council of India, Chennai has been addressing the sector’s problems, including marketing and paucity of raw material.
Quoting Rukmini Devi Arundale, the first president of the Crafts Council of India, the Governor said, “In my opinion every human being is fundamentally an artist because of the spirit of art in him and therefore it is of great importance to understand the value of art and culture and learn its ultimate meaning.”
He also congratulated the recipients of this year’s Kamala Awards.