‘Want gallery on lines of NGMA, Jehangir’

THANE: City planners seem to have given art a complete miss as there is not a single decent gallery in Thane to exclusively display works of local and renowned artists.
Experts rue the fact that apart from a few exhibition halls such as Thane Municipal Corporation’s Kala Dalan in Balkum and some private properties, there are no facilities for artists on the lines of NGMA or Jehangir Art Gallery in the city.
Left with no option, the growing tribe of artists and art connoisseurs from Thane are compelled to go to Mumbai for participating in shows and exhibitions.
Thane-based artist Kishore Nadavdekar, who recently displayed his works at Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, said a decent gallery needs to be developed in Thane.
“The fine arts culture was always vibrant in Thane. It is a surprise that the city still doesn’t have a dedicated art gallery of its own,” he said.
Though civic officials said the three-storey Kala Dalan was dedicated to hold exhibitions, experts from the field are not satisfied with the explanation.
Nina Rege, assistant director of Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, said it was very important for a gallery to retain its ambience. “Any open space cannot just be called an art gallery. Such areas must have open spaces, customized lighting and adequate storage space.”
Even artists from the city said they shy away from exhibiting their artworks on the premises. “There is ample audience for art in Thane but you need a proper place for the artworks to be displayed. Only then will its beauty be appreciated,” said a sculptor.
Several gallery managers from South and central Mumbai also said that has been a rise in the number of artists coming from Thane and beyond in recent years.
“If the local bodies can develop a structure on par with NGMA or Jehangir in the city, it will definitely go a long way in promoting fine arts in Thane and neighbouring areas,” said a managing official of a prestigious South Mumbai gallery.
Political parties said they were aware of the lacunae and were working to solve the issue. A Shiv Sena leader from Thane said the party was working on constructing a dedicated art gallery near Teen Haath Naka.