CHENNAI: Cholamandal Artists’ Village has added yet another feather to its cap with the launch of the Golden Oriole Cultural Centre. The inauguration of the centre happened recently. Speaking to City Express on the sidelines of the launch, S Nandagopal, son of the late K C S Panicker, founder of Cholamandal Artists’ Village said, “We already have a museum measuring around 10, 500 sq feet. It’s the only museum of its kind in Chennai. And this cultural centre is only an addition to that.”
Pointing out that the very purpose of the centre was to encourage young artists from not just India, but also across the world to come and stay at the village to work on their projects, he said, “This Cultural Centre was created with the sole purpose of permitting artists to have a residency programme. Many a time, artists from across the world, who come here for exhibiting their art works, tell me that they wish to stay here and work. That’s when I decided to come up with a centre like this. And this centre, therefore, is not just meant to promote various art forms including theatre and dance, but integrates cultures as well.”
Crediting art aficionados like Shekhar Sitaraman, who is the director of Aloft Chennai, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, who have sponsored for the centre, Nandagopal said, “Shekhar purchased some 150 paintings and sponsored the centre. I am deeply privileged that someone from our city is coming forth and contributing for the betterment of the village.”