Mail Today, November 28, 2008

A makeover that’s getting a bit messy

by Archana

IN AN open letter to the minister for tourism and culture, Ambika Soni, artist/ photographer Ram Rahman has asked for clarifications on the ongoing renovation of Rabindra Bhawan. “ I think it would be fitting for the ministry and the Lalit Kala Akademi to make public its plans for structural additions to the building and also to clarify if these plans have been approved by all the civic authorities which have jurisdiction over New Delhi, including the Delhi Urban Arts Commission ( DUAC),” Rahman says in the letter. It is also addressed to S. Jaipal Reddy, minister for urban development, Ashok Vajpeyi, chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi, DUAC chairman K. T. Ravindran and Akademi secretary Sudhakar Sharma. A copy of the letter has also been marked to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and CPI( M) politburo member, Sitaram Yehchury, who is on the parliamentary sub- committee on culture. Ravindran, an architect, incidentally, is a part of the team overseeing the renovation project. Vajpeyi expresses surprise at the dust being raised on the issue. “ It is a housekeeping exercise, so where’s the need to discuss the matter in public?” he asks. “ The Rabindra Bhawan’s galleries are being restored because the building has been around for a very long time and has to be upgraded. Its electric wiring and other facilities are outdated,” he says. The Bhawan, whose foundation stone was laid by the then president, Rajendra Prasad, in April 1959, was designed by Rahman’s father, architect Habib Rahman. Vajpeyi said that no structural changes were being made, so the integrity of the original plan was being maintained. “ I feel the objection to the renovation is an over- reaction,” he says. Rahman reacts by describing it as a “ sordid story”. He points out that he wrote the first letter to Soni on September 15 because he was alarmed at the way the whole place was being torn apart. “ The floor was being changed unnecessarily. They said Kota stone was being used and I freaked out. Two days later, I was told they would put marble. I freaked out more. Now I do not know if they are using marble or not,” Rahman says. He points out that marble was a ridiculous idea because it’s “ the softest stone” and gets damaged easily. “ No gallery in the world uses marble. But I still see marble lying outside,” he says. Vajpeyi clarifies that although some people were not completely opposed to marble, “ I decided against using it. Now we’re going to have a wooden floor, which is the norm all over the world.” Rahman is also upset about the Akademi’s plan to install a lift shaft. In his letter, he had pointed out that the community of artists had become “ alarmed at what seems to be drastic alterations which will destroy the design integrity and philosophy of the building.” VAJPEYI says an elevator will make the building disabled and senior citizen- friendly. “ When we had Mr Jaipal Reddy for one of our shows, we couldn’t take him to the upper levels. We’ve also been receiving notices from the MCD to make the building disabledfriendly.” The renovation work being carried out by the National Buildings Construction Corporation should get over by December- end, in order to be ready for a big Mexican art show scheduled for January. “ We are not just losing revenue but also delaying opportunities to people from outside who come to us for their shows,” Vajpeyi says. Rahman insists “ the minister knows nothing about what is going on.” To this, Vajpeyi retorts, “ We are not a subsidiary of the ministry but an autonomous body. We consult them only on major issues but don’t bother it for matters of general interest.” Vajpeyi’s final word on the debate? “ I am not aware of any debate in the art circles,” he says. Rahman, though, is in no mood to let it pass. archana. khare@ mailtoday. in