In a first, a resource centre for Indian traditional paintings

HYDERABAD: Aimed at serving as a knowledge hub for all traditional paintings in India, a first-of-its kind resource centre is coming up at the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( Nimsme) campus here.

"The Office of the Development Commissioner(Handicrafts), Government of India, Ministry of Textiles has been setting up craft-based resource centres across the country and one such centre exclusively for artisans in traditional painting craft has been assigned to Nimsme," a senior official said.

The establishment of the 'Resource Centre for Traditional Paintings in India' will mark a new beginning to provide exposure to the national heritage in painting sector globally.

"The Centre will serve as a knowledge hub for all traditional paintings. It is in the formative stage of establishment and would start functioning in a full-fledged mode shortly," V V S Suryanarayana, Head of the proposed research centre, told PTI.

The Centre is being set up at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore with Government of India sharing financial support of Rs 75 lakh over a period of three years while the remaining cost will be contributed by Nimsme. Following this, it will be functioning on self-sustaining effort, the official said.

To begin with, the focus will be on traditional paintings of Kalamkari, Nirmal, scroll paintings of Cheriyal, miniature paintings of Hyderabad, Batik in Andhra Pradesh, Patachitra of Orissa, Madhubani paintings of Bihar, Tanjore paintings of Tamil Nadu, Mysore paintings, Kangra paintings of Himachal Pradesh, Rajput paintings of Rajasthan and Rogan paintings of Gujarat," he said.