PATNA: First-of-its-kind on any campus of the state, the Rabindranath Tagore museum-cum-art gallery, developed by the city-based TPS College and opened on July 17, has become a centre of attraction not only for students and teachers of the college but also art lovers from far and near.
The three-member team of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which concluded its two-day inspection for gradation of the institution, also saw the gallery and appreciated its exhibits.
Established in 1960 and presently a constituent unit of Patliputra University, TPS College, having about 7000 students from intermediate to post-graduate courses on its rolls, recently got permission to run BCom course in self- financing mode.
It was early this year that the college planned to develop a museum-cum-art gallery as an initiative to display evolution of various forms of art work having their origin in Bihar, the works of legendary writer Tagore and also the scientific equipment used in labs over 60 years ago.
College principal Upendra Prasad Singh said, "Once ready for opening, we decided to name it after the great writer, poet and painter Rabindranath Tagore, founder of the Shantiniketan".
The museum’s main entrance displays Tagore's famous poem opening with the lines 'Where the mind is without fear... '. He said Tagore's life and works are highly motivational and the college wanted to apprise its students with his creativity.
The museum-cum-art gallery has many sections, with exhibits like vintage laboratory equipment and various art works. The replicas of Tagore's paintings, donated by nationally-acclaimed artists, are the centre of attraction.
Principal said, with the growing demand from guardians, teachers of other colleges and art lovers, the college administration was planning to open the museum for public, preferably on Sunday.
"Soon, we will notify days and timing for public’s visit to this art gallery on the campus", he said adding that a separate section of literary works of Tagore was also proposed next month.
Museum in-charge and teacher of Hindi, Dr Javed Akhtar Khan said two precious artworks were recently donated by an Indian painter working in France.
Bihar has been a centre not only of education but also different art forms having deep-rooted cultural backgrounds, such as folk art, tikuli art, sujuni painting, manjusha painting and Mithila painting, and works of all these adorn the gallery, he said.
Javed said about 40 works have been donated by artists in response to a request made through social media and more were expected in the coming days.
