Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 15 (IANS) On the lines of famed cultural centres of London, New York and Brussels, the West Bengal government is planning a major an international Rabindranath Tagore complex by integrating the city’s various cultural and film hubs, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced here Friday.

“This is the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. We are planning to set up an international Rabindranath Tagore complex by integrating film complex Nandan, Rabindra Sadan Cultural Centre and academy of Fine Arts,” said Banerjee while launching the Kolkata Museum of Modern Arts.

“It will be another cultural hub. This international complex will help both the young and old generations to interact on art and culture. We need the central government’s help on this issue,” said Banerjee.

Eminent painter Suvaprasanna, a member of Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations committee, said the project needed to be set up on a public-private-partnership model.

“Yes we had a conversation with the chief minister on this issue (Rabindranath Tagore International Complex). I think we need to construct it following the PPP model. It will also help in rejuvenating the Academy of Fine Arts which is in a very bad shape,” he said.

When asked whether the Tagore complex would result in the abolition of a separate existence of Nandan and Rabindra Sadan, he said: “No, all these institutions will very much exist but will be integrated under one umbrella.”

The proposed Rabindranath Tagore International Complex will be made by integrating the adjoining Nandan Film Complex, Academy of Fine Arts, Rabindra Sadan cultural complex and Sishir Mancha.

It will ensure better coordination and act as a common forum for music, cinema, drama, literature and performing arts, Suvaprasanna said.

It will be made on the lines of the international cultural centres of New York, London and Brussels.

The Kolkata Museum of Modern Arts (KMOMA) is a Rs.410-crore project whose primary aim is to preserve, acquire and exhibit a national and global collection of fine arts from late 18th to 21st centuries. Its range will include not just works from Bengal but from across India and all of Asia, apart from western art. It also seeks to be a common forum for music, photography, cinema, the performing arts and literature.

KMOMA also promises to take care of art objects and priceless collections in the possession of institutions which are in precarious condition.