Another Feat of Education Department!

Every government formed in the last 25-30 years took pleasure in making political appointments on the post of Education Minister. Once upon a time it was customary to appoint an academician to that post. But that custom disappeared and Maharashtra’s educational downfall began. It is not yet over. How? See it yourself from the appointment at ‘Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar’ music college…

These are the days of Ganeshotsav, our generation is the one who grew up on the beat of Aarti and Bhajans or songs of Ganesha sung by the Mangeshkar family. Probably the Aarti and Ganesh Vandan recorded in the 70’s set huge sales records at that time. Only the records of the Mangeshkar family were playing in every home and every pandal. Gone were the records, then came the cassettes, gone were the cassettes, and came the CDs, gone were the CDs and now the pen drives came. But over the years, their singing has given just the same joy. Even today, while writing this article, the tune of the song ‘Ganraj Rangi Nachato’ is playing somewhere far away.

At Chinha Art News we are always publishing articles, reports and news about art. At the same time, it is but natural for you to ask, what are you writing about Lata Mangeshkar or Mangeshkar family today on Ganeshotsav day itself. The answer is very simple.

After the death of Latadidi, the Maharashtra government announced the construction of a grand memorial in Latadidi’s memory. Subsequently, Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant announced the establishment of ‘Bharat Ratna Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar International Music College’. At that time, the issue of JJ School of Art was in vogue in the media. Even Uday Samant was charged with the idea of establishing an Art University. Seeing the scenic campus of JJ, he had an idea that why not establish the university here itself? Once that idea flashed in his mind, no one could convince him otherwise. He found the nearly 125-year-old Dean’s bungalow lying vacant and came up with a brilliant idea, why not to establish the Music University which stands in the memory of Didi in this very bungalow.

The idea was supported by both the current and the past Art Directors. But ‘Chinha’ took a very firm stand at that time and severely criticized that scheme. There were reactions from present students and alumni as well as teachers. It was also realized that according to the agreement made 100-150 years ago, it was not possible to do such a thing there and the proposal got fizzled out. was rejected. Someone gave a wise suggestion to the minister that instead of doing something like this in JJ School of Art, why not create the music college in the P L Deshpande Academy in Ravindra Natya Mandir at Prabhadevi, where there is ample space available. It will make more sense. The newly transferred in-charge Art Director did not agree to this as the place was too far away for him. He had doubts like how to manage the post of the Principal in JJ and this, both at the same time. But even that suggestion was accepted and it was decided to start a music college in the P L Deshpande Academy itself.

In fact, this project of music college, which was literally pulled onto himself by Minister Uday Samant, was orphaned after Samant became the Minister for Industries. Uday Samant may have some vision. He may also have some schemes. But because of his sudden departure to the Industries Department, the Higher and Technical Education Department was in a fix and there were doubts whether the project would be completed or not.

The reason for this was that Uday Samant had tangled this project on to the Art Directorate. Actually the Art Directorate was established for Art education and Art propagation. Handing over the music college to the Directorate of Cultural Affairs would have been more appropriate, but no one could stand up to Uday Samant’s insistence. Within a few days, the government changed and Uday Samant started managing the Industries department. Rajiv Mishra was working as the in-charge Art Director in the Art Directorate here. This Art Directorate responsibility was stuck on him whereas he had nothing to do with art. Moreover, this music college project was also piled on to him. He has got nothing to do with music either. But the Department of Higher and Technical Education, which has been in the habit of appointing unworthy people as in-charge Art Director for the last 20-30 years, made the same mess here. So then, Rajiv Mishra used to leave his home and would directly reach Ravindra Natyamandir. From there he directly used to go to Mantralaya. By then it used to be evening. Only after that he used to enter the Art Directorate. This was going on for past several months. The news channel ‘Max Maharashtra’ has aired videos of his appointment and his so called academic achievements so far. From that one should get an idea of how the work would have been going on in the Art Directorate.

(End of first half)

Satish Naik  

Editor, Chinha Art News