Agartala holds national art exhibition

The country's premier fine arts institution, Lalit Kala Akademi, recently inaugurated the 54th National Exhibition of Art in Agartala to familiarize the art fraternity of the northeastern region with national art works of excellence.

The 21-day-long national art exhibition was inaugurated by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

It exhibited 124 paintings and sculptures that were selected from over 8,000 entries by some 3,000 artists from across the country.

Sarkar handed over prizes and citation to 10 National Akademi Award winners whose work was also showcased at the Nazrul Kalashetra in Tripura.

"There is no doubt about that when our artists see all these paintings, interact and exchange views with painters and compare their works, then it will give them confidence in themselves, and they will realize that they, in no way, lag behind," said Sarkar.

"We have chosen the Northeastern region for the exhibition so that local artists of the region get encouraged and are connected with the mainstream of the nation," said K R Subarna acting chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi.

The National Exhibition of Art has been organised since 1959 and the artists are selected by a group of panelists from Lalit Kala Academy.

This year, two artists from Tripura, and one each from Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram showcased their work.

The award carries prize money of Rs 1 lakh, a plaque and a certificate.

"This time the selection is very good and there are many participants from the North East. So being a Northeastern National Awardee, I feel proud and so does the state," said Nazima Rangwala Kalita, awarded painter from Assam .

Northeast has a rich legacy of arts and crafts. And, such national level events will strengthen this heritage. (ANI)