Inmates take part in workshop at Tihar jail, display over 100 artworks

As a part of Tihar Kalabhiyan 2017, an artwork exhibition by inmates of Tihar and other jails in India was inaugurated on Saturday at Lalit Kala Akademi Art Galleries.

Inmates took part in a five-day workshop at Tihar jail on August 19 to prepare close to 100 works of art.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Anil Baijal and was curated by artist Veer Munshi.

"In the generation that I have lived, the meaning of prison has changed. From a damp depressing place where inmates are somehow scraping through to a place of art that allows the process of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the participant prisoners," said Baijal. He added that he would be ready to intervene on behalf of Tihar inmates whenever needed in order to provide the prisoners with an opportunity of a better life.

Over 300 artworks were created by the inmates during the workshop and they also showcased their talents in the cultural evenings organised at the Dilli Haat of Pitampura and Janakpuri. Also, on August 23, Tihar School of Art and an art gallery in Jail No 4 was inaugurated with the objective of giving the prisoners a second chance.

Speaking at the event, Sudhir Yadav said, "during the art-event, an art exhibition of artworks produced by the inmates, their family and relatives will be able to see how talented their family members are, who, due to certain reasons, are in jail."