Eminent practitioners of art and culture today spoke on the role of culture in development at the 88th Annual General Meeting of FICCI.
Shovna Narayan, 'Kathak' exponent said that art should be seen as a venture capital which helps in creation of uniqueness and identity for our country. Art also provides economic benefits in terms of generation of profits and boosting the tourism industry. She stressed on the preservation of art & culture the need to take its advantage in the most economical manner. With respect to competition, she mentioned that we are competing with the West, but we should strive to become centres of excellence and become focal points to act as magnets.
Prof. Rajeev Lochan, Director, National Gallery of Modern Art, emphasised the need for creation of space for interaction and exposure for the art and culture. He said that there is a need to create a platform for art where it can be utilized for the economic development in an effective manner. Going ahead, he said that adequate avenues have to be created for the healthy evolution of art and culture in the nation. He also mentioned that the art and culture in the country could benefit from CSR activities of companies. He added that we should look beyond the physicality and develop an attitude to understand how our culture has evolved over the ages.
Ms Sharon Lowen, 'Odissi' dancer, said that art has played an important role in the national integration of India in the post-independence period. She said that art gives Indian citizens an edge and India has been able to maintain sense of identity and unity because of art. It is important to retain the uniqueness of this identity through promotion of art and culture. She mentioned that there is great difference between modernization and westernization and we should focus on sustaining and upscaling our richness to maintain its uniqueness instead of aping the West.
Paresh Maity, Painter, emphasized the need to patronize Indian art and culture as was done by the Maharajas and Kings over the years. He added that support is needed from the industry associations too. While every corner of the country has singers and musicians, he said there is a need to have a proper platform for them, for India to become the number one country in the world in terms of heritage. He said currently there is not enough encouragement and patronage which is why the arts are losing out.
