Kolkata Art Academy Ticket Counter Repainted Saffron Amid Political Dispute

Kolkata's Academy of Fine Arts saw its ticket counter repainted saffron by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers on Wednesday. This action followed an event 24 hours prior, where theatre personalities applied white paint over a saffron colour previously applied by members of a Hindutva group on July 6.

The Academy of Fine Arts, established in 1933 by Lady Ranu Mukherjee and Maharaja Prodyot Kumar Tagore, is a heritage institution. The repainting dispute centers on the old ticket counter located beside the main gate.

What Happened

BJP legislator Rudranil Ghosh led the group that repainted the ticket counter saffron on Wednesday afternoon. Ghosh stated that theatre personalities associated with the CPI(M) lack respect for the saffron colour, which he described as symbolizing sacrifice. He also criticized their actions of painting the counter white without trustee board permission, while neglecting the renovation needs of the art galleries.

The previous day, individuals involved in the city's theatre scene had painted the counter white. Thespian Chandan Sen noted that the ticket counter was originally terracotta-colored. He explained that after the initial saffron painting around July 6, a group met with state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya, who had previously stated he would address the matter and take action against those responsible for the first repainting.

Key Facts

• BJP workers repainted the ticket counter at Kolkata's Academy of Fine Arts saffron on Wednesday.
• This occurred a day after theatre personalities painted the same counter white.
• The saffron colour had been applied by Hindutva group members on July 6.
• BJP legislator Rudranil Ghosh led the workers repainting the counter saffron.
• Thespian Chandan Sen stated the original colour of the ticket counter was terracotta.
• State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya had previously pledged to address the saffron painting.
• The Academy of Fine Arts was established in 1933 by Lady Ranu Mukherjee and Maharaja Prodyot Kumar Tagore.
• The institution's galleries preserve works by artists like Gaganendranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Ramkinkar Baij, Benode Behari Mukherjee, and Nandalal Bose.
• The auditorium has hosted the state's annual theatre festival since 1984.