Revive & add sheen to golden past

KOLKATA: For all those possessing priceless heirloom art objects, textiles, oil paintings or manuscripts which need urgent conservation or restoration, take heart.
In an effort to conserve and restore old artifacts, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) in association with the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata is establishing an Art Conservation Centre in the city.On April 9, O.P. Agrawal, the director general of the INTACH’s Lucknow-based Indian Council of Conservation Institutes (ICCI) and Russi Mody, chairman of the Academy will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect.
“The state does not have a full-fledged centre for maintenance or restoration of art objects despite possessing a rich and varied cultural heritage. We decided to establish one as there was a felt need for restoration of such art objects,� said G.M. Kapur, convenor, Kolkata chapter of INTACH.
Well-known for it’s it’s scientific and immaculately executed restoration work, INTACH’s initiative is yet another effort towards spreading it’s acumen. What began in Lucknow in 1985 with the setting up of it’s first conservation laboratory, it now has centres in New Delhi, Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Rampur and Jodhpur also.
Similar to INTACH’s other art conservation centres, the Kolkata centre will function under the over all charge of the INTACH ICCI with the Kolkata chapter of INTACH overseeing it’s day to day administration.
To be set up at the first floor of the Academy building, the Art Conservation Centre will begin full-fledged operations in the next three months, stated director of the Academy, Colonel (retd) A.K. Das.
“The Centre will undertake conservation of art objects brought forward by individuals, small and big institutions and also take up sponsored restoration work and organise training courses,� informed Kapur.
To begin with, the Centre will initiate restoration of rare art objects present at the Academy itself.
“The whole purpose of restoration will be aimed at retaining it’s original look and form,� stated Das. According to him, unlike the two government bodies — Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum which undertake conservation work of large collections, this will be the first of it’s kind venture open to both small-time private collectors and public institutions.
INTACH will impart the technical know-how by providing two restorers and a centre co-ordinator from Lucknow. Four trainees from the Academy will be trained likewise.
While the Centre will undertake conservation cum restoration of oil paintings, manuscripts, miniature paintings, textiles, wall paintings and other art objects, training will be imparted on preventive and curative conservation to keen individuals.