The Barodagaman 2020
An Art show by a group of artists represent the teachings at MSU Baroda, Gujrat, India and is open to the public today at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre. The Exhibition held from March 20 to April 17, 2020, will be open to the public at Alliance Francoise Gallery, Peradeniya Road, Kandy.
It was the 1950s, a decade after the British left their footprint in South Asia. Economy, Polity and Education were at their own rate, struggling for their own identity. The political and educational renaissance was lacking in its essence of identity.
In the 1950s Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda established its Faculty of Fine Arts. Initially, the Fine Art Department was established within the Engineering Faculty. Later on the accumulation of excess aesthetic on technology lead the University to establish the Faculty of Fine Art. The formation of the ‘Baroda’ was a gradual development of knowledge, passion, aesthetic sense and its own style was a unique characteristic.
Initially it was a formation of Art Groups in the sub urban city of Baroda. There was a parallel cultural formation in Delhi, Calcutta and Madras. However, the group formation in Baroda was progressive over the other stations.
As Prof. Ratan Parimoo states in his article Dawn of the Baroda School: “Historical chance brought together several artists at Baroda. Synergies were being created between traditional skills with western practices and techniques; with innovative minds and bold imaginative visions. Patriotism not only meant tradition and heritage, but also progress and modernity. Though Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad had patronised several artists including Raja Ravi Varma during the 1880s and the Fine Arts Department existed within the College of Engineering (Kala Bhavan), for several decades before the 1950s, no artist community had taken root in Baroda.” The school was established with a technical intention. The geography, environment and polity influenced the requirement of the growth of classical knowledge, and its expression extended to its succession.
Eventually, the Faculty of Art Baroda or ‘Baroda’ invited learners from all over the world. Many South Asians were attracted to it as ‘Baroda’ was the best place to grow with ‘Art’ and its style. Endorsement of being a product of Baroda was a benchmarked recognition in the Lankan art scene.
Parallelly in the late 20th Century the ‘Art of Baroda’ was recognised beyond courts painting over different styles all over the world. The methods, material and exhibition traditions that resulted from the diversified participation in Visual Art nourished the ‘Baroda’ culture.
After almost seven decades, a group of young artists influenced by ‘Baroda’ exhibit their artistic expressions beyond Vadodara; Beyond Faculty of Fine Art; Beyond India. Thematically, the show will be ‘The Barodagaman 2020’. Historically, the timely aagaman (arrival) have set trends in culture. Atul Mahajan, Rahul Mukherjee, Sandip Pisalkar, Naishadh Jani, Prantik Chattopadhya, Krishna Ria Smart, Dushrant Patel,Prabhakar Alok, Varun Curset Ji are invited to participate in the Art Show from India. They have studied in ‘Baroda’ and are now based in Baroda. Sanjeewa Liyanage is a Sri Lankan, who studied and is influenced by “Baroda” and based in Colombo Si Lanka. How does it happen? “The Barodagaman 2020” will be a platform for both Sri Lankan and Indian artists to get-together, meet each other and explore the opportunities within and beyond. The group of Indian Artists will be visiting The Art Galleries, Universities and the Departments of Fine Arts and historical and cultural places. Art workshops, pocket discussion and knowledge exchanging sessions are organised at the Art School. This opportunity is for students who study Fine Art in local and international streams, in schools.
The artists are invited for a pre-exhibition visit in December 2020. They are able to travel, meet people, artists and galleries. It is a step to facilitate to add the richness of the theme ‘The Barodagaman 2020’ and present it to Sri Lanka as a release of Baroda Art in Sri Lanka.