JJ Vision Denovo!

October 20, 2023

Thursday, 19^th October 2023 was a day of celebration at JJ School of Art campus as the grand event ‘JJ Vision Denovo’ took place with great enthusiasm. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan – Hon. Minister of Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship visited the JJ campus for the formal declaration of Denovo status to the three institutions in the campus. This high profile event was graced by Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis along with senior ministers and dignitaries in Maharashtra. Chinha Art News presents a photo feature on this historical event.

As the JJ campus transformed itself to receive Shri Dharmendra Pradhan – Hon. Minister of Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, an energetic wave of enthusiasm was evident in the entire campus, right from the main gate till the event venue.

JJ campus welcomed Shri Dharmendra Pradhan – Hon. Minister of Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil – Hon. Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Textiles & Parliamentary Affairs, and Shri Deepak Kesarkar – Hon. Minister of School Education & Guardian Minister of Mumbai City and other dignitaries – Shri Vikas Chandra Rastogi (IAS) Principal Secretary, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra and Shri Rajiv Mishra – Director, Directorate of Art, Government of Maharashtra, with great enthusiasm. A guided campus tour was organized with a special exhibition showcasing the work of alumni and present students.

Dignitaries appreciated the exquisite exhibition of paintings and sculptures of the old master alumni of Sir JJ School of Art during their JJ campus tour, which began at the School of Art.

The Dignitaries appreciated the large sized painting showcasing the ancient art at Ajanta, painted by JJ alumni.

Hon. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan while discussing about the role of Art education in society, insisted that the art course curriculum must include deeper research aspects on ancient Indian art tradition.

As the JJ campus is getting geared up for implementation of Denovo status, the core values and vision of the art education is being revisited and redefined.

A student showing a live demonstration of painting in the campus.

Glimpses of campus filled with excitement amid display of classic work of art.

The dignitaries moved to the next destination of their campus tour – Sir JJ College of Architecture.

At the College of Architecture, the campus tour consisted of an exhibition of architectural drawings, design plans, photographs, 3D models and animated video.

The JJ campus is showcasing the philosophy that is ingrained into the campus, that leads to creative development of young minds.

The picturesque JJ campus is now fully revitalized for this grand event.

Students in the campus were excited about the visit of the dignitaries and happy in anticipation in anticipation of declaration of the Denovo status.

The campus tour continued to the third institution – Sir J J Institute of Applied Art. Here, the eye-catching display of elaborate 3D models, photographs, and illustrations showcased various commercial applications of art.

Hon. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan interacted with the senior faculty members and alumni of Institute of Applied Art.

Hon. Minister and dignitaries interacted with the young students of the present batches to know their expectations from Denovo status and the opportunities it will open for their learning and career development.

The campus tour culminated at the beautifully renovated Dean’s Bungalow in the campus. High tea was arranged there for the dignitaries.

The campus was filled with happy faces of students and alumni bubbling with excitement.

The Denovo process is going to transform the education at the campus in terms of its vision, the teaching pedagogy and program outcomes, in line with the NEP 2020 – National Education Policy.

After the campus tour, the formal function began with lighting of lamp by dignitaries, and formal welcome and felicitation.

Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil welcomed and felicitated Hon. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.

Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil welcomed and felicitated Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.

Shri Vikas Chandra Rastogi (IAS) Chief Secretary – Higher & Technical education Department, Maharashtra welcomed and felicitated Hon. Shri Dipak Kesarkar, Minister for School Education and Guardian Minister, Mumbai City.

Hon. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed Sir Rustomji Jejeebhoy, the seventh generation descendent of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy and patron of JJ School of Art.

Shri Vikas Chandra Rastogi (IAS) in his formal address provided the background of education scenario and the deliberations that took place for providing the Denovo status to JJ campus.

Hon. Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil in his formal address provided an overview of the Denovo status and the future of art education that it is poised to create. He mentioned the financial provision of Rs 26 Crores for restoration of the historical heritage buildings in the JJ campus and a separate provision of Rs. 130 Crores for hostel facilities to accommodate 1000 students.

Hon. Shri Dipak Kesarkar in his formal address, took a quick overview of the challenges in school education and importance of Mumbai city as a site for heritage monuments.

Deputy Chief Minister Hon. Shri Devendra Fadnavis in his formal address emphasized the importance of art and creativity in the human culture and society. He further exemplified the role of human intelligence especially the artistic creativity in designing the future of human society. He said that the technological tools such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) are like a horse and the young generation students must learn how to ride that horse so as to be able to run faster towards a better future.

Shri Rahul Narverkar, Hon. Speaker Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra in his formal address spoke about the importance of art in a civilized society and the role of art education in shaping the future young artists for the nation. He mentioned the need for recognizing Colaba area of Mumbai as the art district of India, it being the locale of Sir JJ School of Art, the Jehangir Art Gallery and several contemporary art galleries and initiatives.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Hon. Minister in his formal address declared the much awaited Denovo status for the JJ campus, thus merging all the three educational institutions in the campus into a single entity.

He handed over a formal letter to Art Director Shri Rajiv Mishra to this effect. This was a memorable moment in the entire history of the JJ campus, celebrated by enthusiastic cheering by students, alumni.