Mumbai, October 22: The Maharashtra government is committed to promoting art, artists and art education to strengthen the state’s cultural sector. The government will extend all possible assistance to the ambitious ‘Om The Global Art Centre’ and ‘Aarey Museum’ projects being developed at Aarey Colony, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said.
She expressed confidence that the centre would make a valuable contribution to Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage.
Pawar was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Shilparang-12’, a national art symposium organised in the picturesque surroundings of Aarey Colony. Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, MP Ravindra Waikar, ABP News and ABP Majha Editor-in-Chief Rajiv Khandekar, Finance Department Joint Secretary Sanjay Ingle, Aarey Milk Colony Chief Executive Officer Shrikant Shipurkar, Om The Global Art Centre and Aarey Museum Founder-Chairman Dr Narendra Borlepawar, and Mayuri Borlepawar were among those present.
Pawar said Maharashtra had inherited a rich artistic tradition, ranging from the Ajanta and Ellora caves to Warli painting and modern painting and sculpture. Art, she said, was not merely a source of aesthetic pleasure but also encouraged people to think, nurtured sensitivity and brought society together.
She emphasised that art, culture and creativity were as important indicators of social prosperity as roads, industries, education and infrastructure.
Through the Om centre, artists from across the country are being offered opportunities not only to exhibit their work but also to live and create together, experiment with new ideas and exchange experiences. Initiatives such as Shilparang bring artists from different states together and showcase India's cultural diversity.
Pawar urged young artists to have confidence in their work, experiment with new forms of expression, remain connected to their roots and engage with global ideas.
Highlighting the importance of women's participation in the arts, she said efforts were needed to ensure that more girls gained access to art education, creative opportunities and professional avenues. She added that she would work constructively with Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar to secure greater institutional support for artists. She also assured that efforts would be made to consider bringing visual arts under the Cultural Affairs Department.
Visual Arts Need a Wider Platform: Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar
Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar said painters and sculptors needed greater institutional support and encouragement, along with strong backing for their creative ideas.
Indian painting and sculpture have a rich heritage, he said, adding that the government, the artistic community and society must work together to preserve and promote these traditions. He stressed the need to give visual arts a broader platform while maintaining a balanced approach to both visual and performing arts.
Shelar observed that the sculptures created at Om The Global Art Centre and Aarey Museum carried more than just physical form; they also conveyed emotional, sensitive and natural themes. Appreciating an artwork's beauty was important, but understanding the ideas, emotions and philosophy behind it was equally essential.
He noted that veteran painter Suhas Bahulkar and several other artists had upheld the tradition of communicating broader ideas through colours.
Colours hold special significance in Indian lifestyles, spirituality and culture, Shelar said, adding that colour combinations were closely linked to human emotions, sensitivity and philosophy. He urged painters to present Indian traditions, ideas and perspectives on life effectively through their work.
Sculpture has shaped Indian culture through caves, architecture and diverse artistic creations. Sustained efforts are therefore necessary to connect the younger generation with this heritage, he added.
21 Painters and Sculptors Honoured
At the ‘Shilparang-12’ national art symposium, 21 painters and sculptors from different parts of the country were felicitated with shawls and portraits.
The awardees included Vinod Sharma, Suhas Bahulkar, Charan Sharma, John Douglas, Nilesh Vede, Pradeep Jogdand, Ramesh Chandra, Sakshi Kadam, Anand Panchal, Siddharth Shingade, Nitin Mistry, Amarnath Sharma, Pradeep Kamiya, Neena Dewangan, Vaibhav More, Jagannath Mahapatra, Dilip Sharma, Yogesh Murkute, Man Kafar, Ravikumar and Ketan Khutale.
A painting by veteran artist Suhas Bahulkar was unveiled during the programme. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar also toured the venue, viewed the sculptures created for the event and praised the artists for their creativity.
MP Ravindra Waikar and ABP Majha Editor-in-Chief Rajiv Khandekar also addressed the gathering. Dr Narendra Borlepawar, founder of Om, delivered the introductory remarks, while Joint Secretary Sanjay Ingle proposed the vote of thanks.
