KOCHI: Art tutors should be given complete freedom with regard to the curriculum as it cannot be taught like science. Universities should only look into the administrative side of art schools, CUSAT Vice Chancellor Dr J Letha said here on Thursday. Inaugurating the three-day conference on ‘State of Art Schools: Reality and Prospects’ organised by Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) in association with Foundation for Indian Art & Education (FIAE), she said the administration was ready to provide support to promote art education.
Other speakers also echoed the view saying art needed a unique teaching manual distinct from the teaching practices followed for traditional subjects as creativity is often induced than taught.
Addressing the session, Ernakulam District Collector M G Rajamanickam said society has started to accept everything in monetary terms and it was no different in the case of art. “We should make art a necessity of society. The Kochi Biennale has been successful in initiating that change, at least in this region of the country,” he said. KBF president Bose Krishnamachari said society should inculcate artistic quality in children and art education should start from home. “Parents should make sure that children indulge in art physically and not through Internet,” he said.
KBF secretary Riyas Komu said Kerala’s social reformers have always understood the importance of art. “Sree Narayana Guru encouraged famous artist Mattappilly Raman to go to Kolkatta and learn art,” the Mumbai-based artist said in his welcome address.