CM inugurates 14-day art exhibition 'Aparant'

Panaji, Apr 11 (UNI) 'Aparant' a 14-day unique art exhibition presenting a kaleidoscope of Goan culture and tradition, was opened here today.

The exhibition showcasing 265 exhibits, painted by 20 Goan artists, besides some historic paintings of masters, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane in presence of Deputy Chief Minister Dr Wilfred de Souza, in charge of tourism.

The event commemorates the completion of 25-years of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), which is hosting the exhibition at the Old Goa Medical College Building. The GTDC chairperson Ms Fatima D'Sa and its managing director Mr Sanjit Rodrigues were also present on the occasion.

India's leading critic and theorist Mr Ranjit Hoskote, who curated the mega exhibition, said the exhibition drives the point to prove that ''Goa has been a seed-bed of artistic excellence apart from being a cultural backwater remote from centres of Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore.'' The exhibition, according to Ms Fatima, was one of the efforts of the GTDC to promote tourism through art and culture. ''We believe, art is a vibrant culture of Goa to attract tourists'', she added.

''Goans have been among the great pioneers in the development of modern Indian art, yet, this aspect has been overlooked. Our efforts in recognizing the Goan contributions to the Indian art has also been almost negligible. This show will be a first step in the right direction besides being a launchpad for new artists in Goa,'' according to Mr Rodrigues.

Describing the exhibition as 'concert of soloists', the renowned art curator-cum-critic and Sahitya Academy award winner Mr Ranjit Hoskote said it showcases rare paintings and biographical details of great artists from previous generations like Francis Newton Souza, Vasudeo Gaitonde, Angelo Fonseca, Laxman Pai and Antonio Xavier Trindade.

In addition, there are selected works from important Goa-trained artists including Baiju, Parthan and Vidya Kamat besides major photographs by India's leading photographer Ms Dayanita Singh, of images taken near her house in a Goan village.

Mr Hoskote brought out a detailed catalogue of the exhibits released today.

'Aparant', in due course, also plans a series of art-related cultural events including an exclusive theatre performance by the Mustard Seed company, a Tiatro, evenings of poetry recitals in Konkani, Marathi and English and classical musical performances from Both Western and Indian traditions.

UNI