Rising
Kashmir, February 28th, 2015.
It was year 2010 when a world renowned cardiologist tried to setup a healthcare facility in
Srinagar but because of unnecessary bureaucratic hassles, he abandoned his
proposal. Five years later we did it again. This time an enthusiastic artist, a young entrepreneur is at receiving
end. On 23rd February, 2015 Department of Tourism, without any notice forcibly took over the
kashmir's sole art gallery "Gallerie
One" which housed the artwork of about thirty leading and emerging artists
worth millions at Tourist Reception Center and shut it down. If sources are to
be believed some art work was also mishandled and damaged.
Such intolerance
towards art and artists has been
reported from every corner of the world in all times. Damaging an artwork or silencing an artist has
been associated with some motives. Blowing- off the statues of Buddah in Bamiyan,
incineration of some of the paintings of Piccaso in Romania, forcing Hussain to live in exile; all such incidents have
clear motives behind them. Sometimes it is the content and the expression
itself which scares off the state and sometimes it is for the apprehension of collective feeling of a particular sect
getting hurt and sometimes just because of the verdicts passed by someone who
claims to be the protector of faiths of whole nation that artwork and other
form of expression is targeted.(Judgement to remain with reader's perceptive)
Having visited the "Gallerie One" few times, none
of the issues discussed above seems to be the reason behind shutting down of
art gallery and If mere expiration of
lease period, as claimed by the authorities of Tourism department (though no
such clause can be found in the official document), is the only reason for the shutting down of art gallery that too in such
an unprofessional way, then this is again very unfortunate and calls for
condemnation.
At the time when some countries are justifying their
offensive, insulting and provocative art work in the name of satire and freedom
of expression, our own people are mishandling the decent and justified artwork
which was put to exhibition just to portray and promote our culture and
heritage.
Instead of shutting down the art gallery in an uncivilized
way and shrinking the space of our own artists, concerned authorities are
expected to extend more support and let this sole art gallery of Kashmir to emerge
as a huge platform for artists which can inturn attract tourists from all over
the world. We have already lost a lot of artifacts to the recent floods,
authorities at the department of tourism can grab this opportunity and if
needed relax the regulations and accommodate the art gallery in their premises.
This fact is hidden to no one that kashmiri art is dying at
alarming rate, we should be thinking of protecting and preserving even the graffiti
on the walls of our streets not to talk of sophisticated artwork which
"Gallerie One" is housing. Protection and promotion of art is need of
an hour especially when we want ourselves to be heard for one reason or the
other. An artist posses soft and fragile soul, who deserves to be respected and
given due value. At the same time an action should be taken against the
official who forcibly evacuated the gallery without any written orders.
Afaq Alam Khan
afaqalamkhan@gmail.com
Note: Views
expressed are those of Author's and do not in any way represent the views of
the organization he works for.
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