The Post Graduate Teaching Department of Fine Arts of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has been in existence for past 50 years, but no art gallery was proposed ever by the University. Dr Kishor Ingle, a professor with Government Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya, moved a proposal of establishing Art Gallery in the Senate meeting. The meeting unanimously accepted it and asked Ingle to prepare a proposal in that regard. Dr Kishor Ingle, a Senate Member moved the proposal which says, “University’s department produces students of art. After securing degrees, they need to display their artwork. Even during their education, they are supposed to put their creations on display in a professional manner. They don’t have a well-equipped professional place where they can display the artwork. Considering this aspect, University should create such gallery where youngsters and others also can exhibit their painting, sculpture, photographs. The artists will get a good platform.”

 

RTMNU Senate immediately approved the proposal. Dr Prashant Bokare, Vice Chancellor assured all cooperation and asked Dr Ingle to prepare a proposal that includes place for setting up gallery, its expenditure and other factors. The artists from this region have to go either to Mumbai or Pune. Getting a place for the exhibition at those galleries is very difficult. The artists have to wait for long. Nagpur has Jawahar Art Gallery which fulfills need of Nagpur’s artists. Dr Ingle feels, Nagpur needs one more to be run by the University itself. Once there were 2-3 art galleries in Nagpur like Masoji Art Gallery near Yashwant Stadium, another was in Mahajan Market. One Tagore Art Gallery in NIT building near Ambazari functioned for long time. But it too has shut down for the reasons best known to the authorities. The MFA department of University has one small hall where students keep their artwork on display but it is not professional, plus it is very small. Government Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya exhibits artwork, which get huge response.

 

One more art gallery is present in the premises of Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh but it is also very small and inconvenient to the artists for various reasons. Dr Ingle thinks that an art gallery can be developed near University’s Booty hall. He will be submitting a proposal very soon. Dr Ingle also proposed to organise workshops for the new artists of Fine Arts. “I feel University is celebrating its centenary and in the wake of it, a workshop for the artists, alumni of RTMNU should be conducted. A 4-day workshop can be held where these artists create their artwork. These artworks can be put on display on the walls of University building. This display would take the art of our students to the common public. This will also make University building look beautiful.” University accepted this proposal also and asked administration to take appropriate measures.