Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: Adwaita Gadanayak, a noted stone sculptor and a native of Odisha, who takes over as the next director-general of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) said his focus will be on bringing people closer to arts in his new role.
People are not deeply involved with the arts as a daily part of their life. They may at best visit an art gallery only when there is an exhibition. But they fail to understand that art is a way of life. It should remain ingrained in one’s daily life. Gadanayak is known for his Dandi March stone sculpture further said that people should develop a test for artistic documentation of historic events. Somehow there is a lack in these aspects. He, who currently heads the School of Sculpture at KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, is planning to take up his new assignment later this month after Nov 15. This 47-year-old whose appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Friday succeeded Rajeev Lochan, who retired on June 30 after a 16-year stint.
Gadanayak is native of Neulapoi village in Dhenkanal district, he studied at BK College of Arts and Crafts here before doing his post-graduation from the Delhi College of Art and also from the Slate School of Fine Arts, London. But according to him, the best lesson of art he learnt from his village located between Joranda, the principal seat of Mahima cult which doesn’t t believe in idol worship, and Kapilash (a prominent Shaivite shrine where idols are worshipped).
