Business can help arts evolve, flourish

AHMEDABAD: The lack of a culture of discussion and debate in the arts - both traditional and classical - are to blame for the depletion of various art forms and the feeble interest that 'Generation Next' shows towards them, according to experts gathered at Bhaikaka Hall on Tuesday.
Among them were Kathak exponent Kumudini Lakhia, architect Balkrishna Doshi and Vishaka Desai who recently joined the board of directors of Mahindra group and is president and CEO of the Asia Society.The experts had gathered as part of the Nirubhai Desai lecture on art and society. Lakhia claimed Ahmedabad has the potential to help various forms of living classical arts evolve and develop, which according to her is available nowhere in the country. "Ahmedabad has such wonderful parks. A corner in such parks could be reserved for classical artists, once in a week, so individual artists can put forth their talent. Amdavadis have loved such forms of shows for several decades now. Why can't we start now?"
Doshi on the other hand explained, "Being a society which thoroughly understands the values of business, Amdavadis could help classical arts flourish if a tinge of business sense is added to such arts without corrupting the actual form. I think this could do wonders and help our arts to reach out."