Bharat Bhavan

Bharat Bhavan is a multi-arts complex without parallel in Bhopal, India housing a museum of the arts, an art gallery, a workshop for fine arts, a repertory theater, indoor and outdoor auditoria, rehearsal room, and libraries of Indian poetry, classical and folk musicproviding interactive proximity to the verbal, the visual and the performing arts. It is a place for contemporary articulation, exploration, reflection and innovation. Located near the picturesque bada talaab of Bhopal, Bharat Bhavan is a centre for innovative creativity, pursuit of classics and tradition and wide participation in a new cultural upsurge. It is an independent trust created by the Legislature of the State of Madhya Pradeshcite web
url=http://www.mp.nic.in/culture/bhawan.htm
title=About Bharat Bhavan
accessdate=2007-04-06] . The architect of Bharat Bhavan, Charles Correa [cite web
url=http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.tcl?site_id=5016
title=Architect, Charles Correa
accessdate=2007-04-06] , says:

This art centre is located on a particularly beautiful site - a gently sloping plateau overlooking the Upper Lake and the historic city of Bhopal across the watercite web
url=http://www.mp.nic.in/culture/bhawan.htm
title=About Bharat Bhavan
accessdate=2007-04-06]

Bharat Bhavan consists of the following units [cite web
url=http://www.tourtravelworld.com/hot_spots/bhopal/bharat_bhawan
title=Units of Bharat Bhavan
accessdate=2007-04-06] :
* "Roopankar" (Museum of fine arts) - "Roopankar" has been established with a view to set up a historic collection of urban, folk and tribal art and is the only museum of arts in India housing both contemporary urban and folk and tribal art. The museum has contemporary urban, folk and art of aboriginals, a ceramic workshop, litho workshop and facilities for stone craft and metal casting.
* "Rangmandal" (A repertory) - "Rangmandal" is a professional repertory to create a sustained theatre movement that becomes a way of life rather than spasmodic activity. Numerous plays and stage shows are held here. "Rangmandal" has at its disposal an indoor theatre called "Antrang" and an outdoor theatre called "Bahirang". It also has a rich library and play museum.
* "Vagarth" (A centre of Indian poetry) - "Vagarth" has a library of more than 7,000 books of poetry in 14 Indian languages and recordings and video-cassettes of major poets. This centre provides an excellent platform to the writers for interaction through lecture, recitation, translation and publication.
* "Anhad" (A library of classical and folk music) - "Anhad" work of documenting both classical and folk music and organises musical concerts.
* "Ashram" - A residence for guest artists.

Controversy

In May 2007, Bharath Bhavan hosted a controversial exhibit of paintings by [http://www.kailashtiwari.com Kailash Tiwari] . The paintings were dominated by images of muslim men participating in murder, gang-rape and acts of terrorism, and referring specifically to recent events such as the Godhra train burning and the Bombay train bombings. Local muslim groups protested, saying the images qualified as hate speech and should not be endorsed by a public institution. [ [http://www.indianexpress.com/story/31107.html Indian Express: Here Bajrang Dal fights for right to expression] ] . The event was heavily attended by Hindu activists, particularly members of the Bajrang Dal.

References

(Web-)Links

* [http://www.thebharat.com/tourism/museum/bhopal.html The Bharat Bhavan - Bhopal-Madhya Pradesh] (TheBharat.com Portal Site)
* India Tourism (IndiaTourism.com): [http://www.indiatourism.com/madhya-pradesh-tourism/bharat-bhavan.html Madhya Pradesh Museums - Bharat Bhavan, Bhopa]