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| Six posts have already been sanctioned: Masoodi | | | Sanjeev Sharma
Jammu | Jan 3
he height of adhocism and casual attitude prevailing in the State could be gauged from the fact that prestigious Kala Kendra of Jammu, housing highly valuable artworks, is being presently looked after by part-timers or those appointed on contractual basis or stop-gap arrangement under the aegis of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
While the life-line of the Kendra---- the studios are nonfunctional ever since this cultural centre was set-up in the Winter Capital in October 2005, the precious paintings and wooden sculptures have been left to gather dust and termite in the shabbily managed stores.
The staff appointed by Academy does not have any required professional qualification or technical expertise to preserve the art work. As a result, the invaluable art works of artists of repute are losing shape, stature and shine.
It is the irony of the affairs that right from the top to bottom, the Kala Kendra has become a part-time affair for the Government. The present Admistrator, Soujanya Sharma is busy with his parent job of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority. Though an art lover, yet he is not a man from the art background, except having worked in Jammu Radio Station as an announcer for a brief period.
Coming to the second leg of administration, it has been learnt that the present in charge Kala Kendra, Dr Amrinder Singh is a man of literature and tastes and has been assigned the task in addition to his full-time job of Editor Punjabi at J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Jammu. It is as such extremely difficult for him to look after both the assignments.
In the prevailing conditions, the very purpose of the Kala Kendra to promote contemporary art in the state has been defeated. Those who have been given the charge of studios, a place where the work of repute of the artists have to be placed, are no where technical expertise. Four such individuals, who came to the Kendra through backdoor in the IVth class cadre, have been assigned the job of Studio Supervisors, which otherwise is purely a technical affair. For that matter, a Studio Supervisor should be at least there with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.
It is a known fact that when these appointments were made in November 2006 without any advertisement there was hue and cry from the people from the art world. And to counter the wrath of the qualified artists, the Secretary of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Dr Rafiq Masoodi had then said that these four people have been adjusted against technical posts for a stopgap arrangement. He added that it was purely a temporary arrangement and advertisement to fill up these technical posts will be published shortly. But till date, nothing has happened because all the beneficiaries of these back door appointments are kith and kin of officials of the Cultural Academy.
When contacted Secretary J&K Academy of Art Cultural and Languages, Dr Rafiq Masoodi said, “I’m highly concerned about the Kala Kendra and the prevailing adhocism is a matter of days now. The Finance Department has already sanctioned six posts for Kala Kendra.”
The Secretary disclosed that the tomorrow’s scheduled Council Executive meeting to be chaired by Academy President and Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad will approve the sanctioned posts.
“Soon after the seal of the Academy President, the process of final selection and appointments shall take place. Hopefully, by the next month, all the vacant posts will be filled with deserving and technical people posted in Kala Kendra,” maintained Dr Masoodi.
The sectioned posts for the Kala Kendra included that of Studio Attendants, Studio Supervisor, Gallery Attendant, Store-keeper and Receptionist. |
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