NGMA educates on Bangalore heritage

As the quaint city landscape changes — the buildings, the old areas are rapidly transforming into what could be a city anywhere in the world. The old is quietly making way for the new. Yet, every time an old building is brought down, the debris moved away, a lot of history is lost as well.

With World Heritage Day just round the corner, (April 18th), National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) along with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) have organised a discussion on   art and architectural restoration on April 16. For all those who have been to NGMA, the building itself holds a certain fascination, and this Saturday, Naresh Narasimhan, principal architect, Venkataramanan Associates, will speak about the NGMA building.

Calling it the high point of the lecture series, Tejshvi Jain, assistant curator, NGMA, says, “Those who have come to the gallery are often fascinated by its architecture. And Naresh will speak about the re-designing of Manikyavelu Mansion and its transformation into present-day gallery.” The blending of the old building and the new structure and how they both compliment one another is significant, she added. This will provide a perspective on how the old and new can co-exist, such that the history isn’t altogether destroyed in the process. Other speakers include Nilabh Sinha, principal director, INTACH ICC, New Delhi who will speak on insight into art conservation, and Madhu Rani KP, director ICKPAC, whose lecture will be on restoration of mural paintings in South India.

“We also bring for the city audience an eight part series of films on heritage sites of India... we all have visited one or more of these monuments, but the films bring in the historical significance as well as the art history point of view,” says Jain. The film screenings will begin from April 17 and go on till April 30. The films are being showcased in collaboration with Marg.

Art is a part of one’s heritage and introducing children to it helps build a sense of belonging. And to create and reach out to the larger audience, NGMA has created a slew of activities for children as well. While Jain points out that these are summer events, she is quick to add that, “Art is also as much part of our culture and heritage and what better way to create awareness than to reach out to children.”