GUWAHATI, Sept 12 � As a result of the relentless efforts of the artists and art patrons of the State, multifarious activities in pursuit of art would find a permanent platform in the Dream Art Complex of the Gauhati Artists' Guild (GAG), in the days to come.
Described as the Guild's dream since the past three decades, the permanent integrated complex at Chandmari would have facilities of art gallery, painting and sculpture studio, graphic workshop, class room, cafeteria, open-air space and guest room.
Appreciating the need of development of art to build a creative and progressive society, the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) today contributed Rs 6 lakh as the first instalment of a proposed contribution of Rs 12 lakh for the art gallery of the complex. The NRL-GAG Art Gallery would be inaugurated with a national exhibition of contemporary artists.
In a meeting organized today, eminent artist Benu Misra, who took the initiative of establishing the Guild along with other contemporary artists, welcomed the step taken by the NRL and termed it a memorable day for the Guild. "It is heartening to see that the work of our Dream Art Complex is progressing steadily," he mentioned.
The work of the gallery would be completed in a year's time, according to the Guild members.
The Managing Director of Numaligarh Refinery Dr BK Das, while handing over the cheque, assured the Guild of all possible steps for the betterment of art.
"Both the art and the society contribute towards the development of each other. With the involvement of eminent artists of the State in this project, we are assured that this venture would reach the pinnacles of glory," he added.
"The Dream Art Complex with a total budget of Rs 1.5 crore was initiated with the hard earned savings of the Guild. However, as the savings were exhausted, the Guild decided to seek financial support and patronage from other sources, especially from the major public sector undertakings of Assam like the NRL, IOC, OIL, etc. The Guwahati Refinery has also committed to give Rs 5 lakh," said Kishor Kumar Das, general secretary of the Guild. "A similar proposal for contribution is waiting for a positive response from the State government also," he mentioned.
"Such initiatives by the art patrons of the society would go a long way to promote art in Assam and encourage the future generations of artists," said Aminul Hoque, president of the Guild.
