India 2018

Culture and Tourism 59
the Ministry. The Ministry is also responsible for the implementation of various
UNESCO conventions in the field of culture.
Lalit Kala Akademi
Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Academy of Art, was set up in 1954. Lalit
Kala Akademi is the government's apex cultural body in the field of visual arts
in India. It is an autonomous body, which is fully funded by the Ministry of
Culture. The Akademi is an institution that has rendered service to the nation
in the arts sphere long before the world woke up to the global impact of Indian
art. It has established, preserved and documented a permanent collection that
reflects the vitality, complexity and unfolding patterns of modern and
contemporary art in India. All through the year it presents exhibitions and
educational programmes of unparalleled significance; sustains a library, art
collection, archives, conservation laboratory and supports scholars and
publications of pre-eminent intellectual merit all over the country.
Central to the Akademi's mission is the encouragement of a deeper
understanding and enjoyment of modern and contemporary art by a diverse
local, national and international audience that it serves. The National Exhibition
of Art and the International Triennale - India, are examples of such endeavours.
The Akademi is involved in a wide range of activities promoting Indian
art and artists through programmes and strategic partnerships. The Akademi's
sincere commitment to the development of art is evident through the strong
national and international programmes organized by the headquarters in New
Delhi and by the Centres situated at Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow,
Garhi (New Delhi) and Sub Centres at Shimla and Patna. Another major art
promotional activity of the Akademi is to provide studios to artists who work
in various disciplines of art, such as sculpture, graphics, ceramics and paintings.
In Delhi, the Akademi administers the Garhi Artists' Studios where
approximately 200 artists work regularly. The Akademi has started a regular
programme on research and documentation. Scholars are given financial
assistance to undertake projects on various contemporary aspects of Indian
society and culture.
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's national academy of music, dance and drama,
is a pioneer in the creation of modern India. The ephemeral quality of the arts,
and the need for their preservation led to the adapting of a democratic system
in which the common man had the opportunity to learn, practice and propagate
the arts. In 1945, the Asiatic Society of Bengal submitted a proposal for the
creation of a National Cultural Trust consisting of three academies-an academy
of dance, drama and music; an academy of letters and an academy of art and
architecture. It led to the creation of three national academies after Independence.
The national Academy named Sangeet Natak Akademi, was the first of these
entities to be established by a resolution of the Ministry of Education. In 1961,