Indian Art and Letters

Author(s): India Society
Publisher: India Society

Page 32

Modern Art in Western India Solomon made it into an institution that was really alive! He knew how to strike the sparks of genius and to inflame desire for artistic disco spirit of youth, and to awaken all the real spirit of art that we know exists so much in India and its peoples. Mr. Solomon has shown us in his slides the really beautiful work that is being done by his students.
I need not say that the result of his work has been to double the numbers, or more than double the numbers of the school, while he was there. He has triumphed over departmentalism. He has carried on many a fight for his school, and I am glad to say that he has won a great many of them, and I believe the School of Art is now on a solid and enduring foundation. He has welded together every school of politics in Bombay, and combined all those schools in support of art. That is what it should be, for there are no political divisions in art.
But, gentlemen, we want to see both in India and outside of it patronage for Indian artists. In any part of the world, from the days of Velasquez onwards, art has never been able to develop unless wealth has patronized the artist.
I must say I think there is a great deal to be done in England in this respect, and I hope that this institution will help a great deal. But also-I was never tired of saying it when I was in India, and may I say it again ?-- we look to people in India also to patronize Indian art. There are still a number of people with wealth in India who could do more to help the Indian artist than they do to-day. I would appeal to them to encourage and help their own artists and show a real Swadeshi spirit in its support
Another thing is, we want all the various Schools of Art in India to have an equal share of the opportunities for showing true talent as the various opportunities present themselves. At one moment it may be New Delhi where opportunities for the artist may occur. Then we want to see the Government summon for the decoration of New Delhi with equal hand all those who are doing the best work in India. Similarly in India House here we want to see all the Schools of Art who have talent and genius and enthusiasm ; we want to see equal opportunity for them all.
But my desire was not to talk about Indian art, of which I know only too little, but of the one thing I do know, which is that the School of Art and successive Governments of Bombay all owe to Mr. Gladstone Solomon an enormous debt of gratitude for the work he has done for Indian art. The affection and loyalty which he has inspired amongst his students is the best
work: but I do want to take this opportunity of saying “Thank you" to him for the great work he has done, and to add what a pleasure it is for me to watch the school progressing from strength to strength. 110