'Experts, not politicians, should select sculptor'

A group of well known artists and writers has petitioned Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar that the government must consult subject experts before finalising the project to install the statue of Mahatma Gandhi between Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha in Bangalore.

The Litterateurs’ and Artists’ Cultural Forum, in its letter to Shettar, said it welcomed the decision of the government to install the statue of Gandhi. But there had been no transparency in allocation of the work.

Ram Sutar, the world famous sculptor and recipient of Padmashri award, has sculpted the imposing statue of Mahatma Gandhi in meditation pose on the premises of Parliament. The statue had drawn appreciation as it reflected the skill and maturity of the artist. Bangalore should get a similar statue, the letter said.

Such a statue cannot be by made by any artist at the state or national level other than sculptors such as Sutar. Therefore, the government must constitute a committee of subject experts to select a sculptor to take up the project of installing the Gandhi statue in the Soudha premises, the letter said.

The signatories are artists Venkatachalapati, former chairperson of Karnataka Shilpakala Academy, Dr C Chandrashekar, former chairperson of Lalithakala Academy, Bhaskar Rao, Chandranath Acharya, B C Shivakumar and research scholar Chidanandamurthy among others.

The State legislature committee headed by D H Shankaramurthy recently announced that a huge bronze Gandhi statue, which would be on the lines of the statue in Parliament, will be installed between the Vidhana Soudha and Vikasa Soudha soon.

Artist B D Jagadish, a native of Tirthahalli, has been selected to do the work. The foundation stone would be laid on October 2, the chairperson had told the media.

Venkatachalapati, a renowned sculptor, said it was better for experts to take a decision as to who should take up such a big project.

“Jagadish is more known for his paintings than sculpting. Politicians should not be the deciding authority in such issues,” he said.

Chandranath Acharya, a senior artist, said the Gandhi statue in meditative position in Parliament is superb. The proposed Gandhi statue in Bangalore should be a great art work. There should be transparency in decision making by the government, he said.

When contacted by Deccan Herald, Council Chairperson Shankaramurthy argued that it was wrong to assume that politicians did not know anything about art.

“We have not yet taken a final decision in this regard. If any artist is interested, then let him approach us. Jagadish is also a sculptor. We have just asked him to give his quotation as he came forward to take up the work”.

However, Jagadish, who is working as an artist at the government ayurveda college, Bangalore, said the secretariat had issued him a letter seeking his consent to take up the project.

“I have been told to sculpt a 30-foot statue. It may cost not less than Rs one crore. I am planning to go to Delhi to see the Gandhi statue. I have been asked to complete the work within the next three to four months,” he said.