Vadodara, Jan 12: Art and politics are two head on characteristics of Indian art forums, especially in Gujrat. So, is the upcoming mega art and culture event VadFest 2015 a controversial acts? The fest is scheduled to have 50 events involving art, music, dance, theatre and culture from January 23 to 26.
VadFest is widely been promoted by state BJP government and tourism department of Gujrat over the past few weeks, which sparked anger in a group of participating artist who has claimed that the visual art events being held at the fine art faculty of MS University as a part of VadFest have been endorsed by Gujrat Sarkar.
The emails and messages circulated among participating artist states that how the organizers can accept endorsement for state BJP government while art department of MS University and art world of Gujrat has faced several attacks from BJP, VHP and other right wing groups.
After the protesters appeal, three artists, Gigi Scaria, Tushar Joag and Sheba Chhachhi decided to withdraw from event and other artist are discussing the appeal to act.
Festival organisers, meanwhile, sent out a clarification letter stating that Vadfest has been organised and funded by a non-profit citizens’ group and faces no interference from a supportive Gujarat government.
What the protest is about
In 2007, activists from the BJP and VHP attacked and vandalised artwork at a student exhibition at the MS University for depicting Hindu gods Vishnu and Durga as well as Jesus Christ in an allegedly derogatory manner. (Christian groups also protested against the exhibition.) Chandramohan, the student whose work was vandalised, was arrested by the police and had to spend a night in jail. Shivaji Panikkar, the dean of the arts faculty at the time, had refused to close down the controversial exhibition and was suspended by the university.
In December 2012, VHP activists once again protested an exhibition at the university’s fine art faculty, claiming that Hindu deities had been portrayed in an obscene manner. This time, the vice chancellor of the university chose to pull down the paintings in question.
Such incidents, according to the artists protesting Vadfest, are a reflection of how the Sangh Parivar has been making concerted efforts to attack art, culture and education.
In her email addressed to artists, Madhusree Dutta explained why she was opposed to the fine arts faculty hosting and curating the visual arts section of Vadfest:
“It is quite ironic that only 7 years back the visual artists formed the most formidable resistance in Baroda against the hooliganism of the party in power in Gujarat. Today the same party/government, more powerful than ever, plays the gracious host to a show that can be described as the largest assembly of visual artists in the country. And the master stroke is that they have chosen the same site (Fine Arts Faculty) to showcase this...It is a very simple strategy to generate the widest acceptance.”
Her email also describes Vadfest as a “Thanksgiving event” for the people of Vadodara for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s victory from that parliamentary seat.
Pushpamala N, an alumnus of the fine arts faculty, was not one of the participating artists but has been at the forefront in raising the issue with other artists.
“The Baroda fine arts faculty is the most famous art school in the country, even till today with all the efforts of the BJP and Sangh Parivar to crack it,” said Pushpamala in an email to Scroll. Because of the progressive and open atmosphere that has traditionally characterised the department, she believes it is a “prize catch to take over and control”.
“The state government (and the Centre) speak in two tongues at the same time: you try to destroy an institution and then hold it up as an iconic one, you attack artists and also use them to project a liberal face,” said Pushpamala. “It is part of a plan to control the entire cultural and educational sphere.”
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