ALLAHABAD UNIVERSITY (AU) is all set to make a unique new beginning of preserving and showcasing the rich cultural, archaeological and literary heritage of Allahabad— on a scale never done before.
Under a novel initiative, the varsity has decided to collect rare pictures of prominent buildings, archaeological finds, literary figures, poets as well as martyrs and prepare special large-sized 'flexes'.
The plan: To display these attractive 'flexes' or picture panels all over the AU Delegacy to inform and remind hundreds of artists and thousands of locals— set to descend on the varsity for the four-day national level cultural extravaganza 'Kala Kumbh' set to kick off from December 20— of the city's rich but neglected heritage that has ensured a special place for Allahabad in the Nation's history.
"The attempt is unique and has never even been tried by us at such a scale. We are busy preparing special flexes that would showcase a number of prominent people and places that have culturally, historically and even in other creative ways have served the city or helped it make a place in people's hearts the world over," informed noted painter and the convenor of Kala Kumbh Dr Ajay Jaitley.
Dr Jaitley said that to prepare these flexes, the Kala Kumbh organising team contacted a large number of people to tap their collection of rare pics and got prints prepared. "This needed quite an effort as we wanted the best 40-45 works that would best represent the diverse and rich cultural heritage of the ancient city of Allahabad," he explained.
{{/usCountry}}Dr Jaitley said that to prepare these flexes, the Kala Kumbh organising team contacted a large number of people to tap their collection of rare pics and got prints prepared. "This needed quite an effort as we wanted the best 40-45 works that would best represent the diverse and rich cultural heritage of the ancient city of Allahabad," he explained.
{{/usCountry}}He said that the best talent available was used by the varsity to finalise and prepare a display of the 'flexes' and only after much deliberations and corrections the final look of each of the flex was decided upon. "Now that we have got majority of them ready, we are sure that the visitors and our guests would appreciate them irrespective of the fact whether they are local or coming from a far corner of the country," he added.
Co-convenor of the event, Dhananjay Chopra said that the flexes would convey the very aim of the Kala Kumbh: “Preserve the rich cultural heritage.”
He said: "We want everyone, especially the youngsters, to remember the rich cultural heritage and be proud of it. We are confident that it would motivate them to work hard in the field of art and culture."