Photographer says he spent Rs 5,000 to clean run-down Balgandharva Gallery for exhibition
Photographer says he spent Rs 5,000 to clean run-down Balgandharva Gallery for exhibition
Prakash Bang, the well-known wildlife photographer, was keen to showcase his work at the Balgandharva Art Gallery. He was in for a rude shock upon seeing the inside of the oldest gallery in the city.
The place was filthy. That there was little maintenance was apparent from its run-down condition.
Since Bang wanted to rent the place for his photo-exhibition, he took the initiative and got the place repaired and cleaned.
"My staff had to clean the entire place before we could even begin the preparations for my photography exhibition," said Bang. "There was an unbearable stench emanating from the toilet and I had to shell out Rs 5,000 to shut the adjoining toilet door."
Besides the Rs 5,000 on the door, there were other small details to be taken care of.
"We had to use 1,000 sheets of black tinted papers to camouflage the display board," said Bang.
Along with other artists, Bang complained of the poor condition of the art gallery.
"We pay rent for the gallery, and then we also have to take the initiative to clean up the mess!" said Bang.
"It's shocking."
According to Bang there is no transparency in the booking of the art gallery and that he had been running around for two years to get dates for the gallery.
"I was told the place was undergoing renovation," he said.
Sharad Tarde, a senior mural artist from Aundh, agreed with Bang.
"Balgandharva Art Gallery is in a huge mess and there are a lot of irregularities despite us raising our voices," said Tarde. "The PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) administration is exploiting us."
Ravi Dev, a noted artist, said it was time for a show of strength.
"Artists will have to come together and fight for this in a united manner," said Dev.
Local members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who visited Bang's exhibition said the issue needed to be addressed.
"We will inform Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Zagade," said Girish Bapat. "PMC should offer the best services to artists."
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