Current Affair (14 January 2022) : Kala Kumbh under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was organised

Kala Kumbh organized under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav reflects the essence of unity in diversity.

• The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi celebrated Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav with Kala Kumbh- artist workshops for painting scrolls measuring approximately 750 metres, representing the tales of valor of unsung heroes of India’s freedom movement.
• The works of art done on the gigantic scrolls will form an integral part of the Republic day celebrations 2022, marking a unique collaboration between Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Defence.

•  Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art Shri Adwaita Garanayak informed this during  a press briefing today in New Delhi.

Image source : PIB

• Shri Garanayak said, “The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi has organised these workshops with the aim of amalgamating varied forms of visual and performing arts of the country to represent the true essence of unity and diversity in India. I believe that the gigantic scrolls when displayed at Rajpath will garner interest of each individual to delve deep into the history of the unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle and would also draw attention towards the unified visual aspects of modern, indigenous and contemporary arts of India”.

• At Odisha, the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi collaborated with Kalinga Institute of Technology and Silicon Institute of Technology in Bhubaneswar from 11th – 17th December and at Chandigarh the collaboration was done with Chitkara University from 25th Dec 2021 – 2nd January 2022.

Image source : PIB

• At Bhubaneswar, the narratives have reflected the tales of valor and historical elements of India’s movement of freedom struggle focusing on Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, north eastern parts of India and Andhra Pradesh with artistic expressions reflecting the indigenous forms of art such as Pattachitra, Talapatra Chitra, Manjusa, Madhubani and JaduPatua to name a few.
• At Chandigarh, the narratives have been a reflection of the tales of valor of unsung heroes from Ladakh, Jammu, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan with artistic expressions reflecting the indigenous forms of art such as Phad, Pichwai, Miniature, Kalamkari, Mandana, Thangka and Warli.
• The closing ceremony of Kalakumbh- Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav at Chandigarh was graced by Shri Banwari Lal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of UT Chandigarh and at Bhubaneshwar by Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Dr. AchutyaSamanta who is also the founder of KIIT and KISS.
• Several other dignitaries also evinced great interest in the scrolls during their visits to the workshops. Series of cultural programs were held in the evenings during these workshops, reflecting upon the rich traditions of folk and indigenous performing arts of India in collaboration with Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre and Northern Zonal Cultural Centre.
• In the next phase, these scrolls will be placed artistically at Rajpath for the celebrations of Republic day, 2022.
• The strategic location of these scrolls would serve as an open gallery for all the citizens and it is intended to inspire people about the rich national heritage and legacy of Bharat in its true sense.

Ministry of Culture