We need to create a new contemporary portrait of Indian art and culture. There is a need for greater impetus towards building sustainable and viable spaces for contemporary art as well as development of infrastructure for the conservation of our culture and traditional art. Museums are able to provide the sort of encouragement that goes a long way in ensuring not only a systematic surge of new Indian art, but also provide space for the masses to interact with traditional art forms. The space of a museum is essential, not only as a platform to provide tangible documentation but to also make art accessible to a larger audience. This can be achieved only when one has the resources to back such projects, and the state has the advantage to allocate these facilities.
Unfortunately, even in today’s day and time there are not enough spaces which have been dedicated to the expertise of the masters that India has produced. Cultural heritage still stays highly inaccessible to the public, so how on earth can we expect people to develop a sense of belonging and how can we sensitise them to our material and cultural heritage? New architecturally innovative spaces should be created for this. It is a pity that we are losing out both ways. While few opportunities exist for contemporary art, we are also losing touch with our roots, culture, heritage. Whoever comes to power, sufficient steps should be taken to ensure regular and sustained enculturation of the masses through contemporary and traditional art spaces. A fine balance can be achieved which will then be instrumental in bringing in a cultural and personal revolution in art.
A nation which prevents freedom of expression is as good as a dictatorial state, then why farce of elections? When we are given a choice to elect leaders, we might as well be accorded a sense of freedom in personal and community-based cultural practices. Nudity is such an issue. Why? I mean until we are able to appreciate and understand our very own art practices and able to come to terms with something as natural as our personal choices, till then the electoral process continues to be a sham and practice to elect cipher-heads.
The time is perfect to try and effect a change that is necessary. Art needs to be among many other facets as a way of moulding our perceptions of others and us at a micro-level, and by extension of state and the nation at a macro-level.