Exhibition of 200 rare Paintings Inagurated

	First Lady of J&K Mrs. Usha Vohra during inauguration of Painting Exhibition at Srinagar, Kashmir.

Srinagar, August 25 - An exhibition of 200 rare paintings of top artists of country was inaugurated here by first lady Mrs. Usha Vohra, in presence of a galaxy of artists and painters of the state, here at Lal Mandi this afternoon. The exhibition organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and was selected form the rarest collections of the masterpieces painted by renowned artists of India includes M F Hussain, G R Santosh, N S Bendre V S Gaitonde, Tayeeb Mehta, J Swaminathan and others.

Smt Usha Vohra, while speaking on the occasion, stated that she was highly impressed by the works displayed in this rarest exhibition and impressed upon the state Academy and other art related organizations of the state to catalogue these precious heritage with the help of latest available technology so that this wealth could be preserved for posterity.

She appreciated the state academy for holding the exhibition of greatest work in the heart of Srinagar City. She said that these precious works of art should be displayed at various places of the state enabling the new generation to have a glance over our purest ethos. She stressed upon the Academy to establish a state of the art gallery for the artists of the valley and the same should be equipped with latest available technology.

Secretary Cultural Academy, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas in his welcome address stated that the State Academy is going to establish two modern art galleries at Srinagar. One of the art gallery would likely to be opened at Lal Mandi in next couple of days. He added that another proposal regarding construction of a state of the art gallery at Srinagar is under submission to state government and the Chief Minister Omar Abdullha has agreed to establish this gallery in Tehzeeb Mahal to be constructed in Srinagar in near future. He said that we are also hopeful that the central government will provide us an adequate funds for preservation of paintings and other art objects .

Earlier , the designer of the event , Sh. O P Sharma , OSD apprised the lady Governor about the Art activities being organised by the State Academy and explained the motif of various rare paintings.

Among a number of artists, painters, calligraphists including Prof. Gayoor Hassan, Prof. Shabir, Shamema Gul, Additinal Secretary, Cultural Academy, Mtr. Shaiqa Mohi, Principal IMFA were also present on the occasion.

Gh. Mohi-ud- Din Exhibition Officer presented vote of thanks.

Smt Usha vohra also took a round of Academy complex and meet with various officers of the Academy.