Qrius
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Finance
    • Investment Guide
    • Policy
    • SMEs
    • Net Worth
    • Startup
    • Pros and Cons
  • World
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • Sports
      • Scrabble
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Science & Technology
    • Archaeology
    • Nature
    • Space
    • Tech
    • AI
    • Fintech
    • Futuristic Technologies
    • IOT
  • India
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Contributors
    • Digital Marketing Guest Post
    • Education Guest Post
    • Travel Guest Post
    • Fashion Guest Post
    • Fintech Guest Post
    • Health Guest Post
    • IOT Guest Post
    • Politics Guest Post
    • Sports Guest Post
    • AI Guest Post
    • Technology Guest Post
    • Literature Guest Post
  • Content Services
  • Business
    • Banking
    • Finance
    • Investment Guide
    • Policy
    • SMEs
    • Net Worth
    • Startup
    • Pros and Cons
  • World
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Elections
    • Sports
      • Scrabble
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Science & Technology
    • Archaeology
    • Nature
    • Space
    • Tech
    • AI
    • Fintech
    • Futuristic Technologies
    • IOT
  • India
    • Culture
    • Economy
    • History
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Entertainment
    • Climate
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
  • Contributors
    • Digital Marketing Guest Post
    • Education Guest Post
    • Travel Guest Post
    • Fashion Guest Post
    • Fintech Guest Post
    • Health Guest Post
    • IOT Guest Post
    • Politics Guest Post
    • Sports Guest Post
    • AI Guest Post
    • Technology Guest Post
    • Literature Guest Post
  • Content Services
12 Feb, 19
12 Feb, 19
Amol Palekar, Ministry of Culture, National Gallery of Modern Art

Censored for questioning censorship: Why you should care about Amol Palekar?s interrupted speech, explained

Amol Palekar, a respected Marathi actor, filmmaker, and painter, was scheduled to speak at an event by in Mumbai, but was interrupted repeatedly after he made critical comments against the government. At the unveiling of noted artist Prabhakar Bave’s retrospective exhibition, “Inside the Empty Box”, Palekar made remarks thanking the National Gallery of Modern Art […]

By Qrius

Credit:Credit: Amol Palekar's website (http://www.amolpalekar.com)

Amol Palekar, a respected Marathi actor, filmmaker, and painter, was scheduled to speak at an event by in Mumbai, but was interrupted repeatedly after he made critical comments against the government.

At the unveiling of noted artist Prabhakar Bave’s retrospective exhibition, “Inside the Empty Box”, Palekar made remarks thanking the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Mumbai for organising the event. However, in his speech, he also criticised the Ministry of Culture, a move that antagonised gallery members on the panel.

The National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with Bodhana Arts and Research Foundation cordially invites you to the inauguration of an exh. "INSIDE THE EMPTY BOX" – PRABHAKAR BARWE, on 08/02/2019 at 5:00 PM at NGMA, Mumbai pic.twitter.com/S3HuX74I41

— NGMA Mumbai (@mumbai_ngma) February 4, 2019

Palekar’s comments

Palekar began by praising the expansion plans of the NGMA into Kolkata and North-east. He then said, “Many of you may not know that this retrospective will be the last show that is decided by the advisory committee of local artists and not by some bureaucrat or an agent of the government with an agenda of either moral policing or proliferation of certain art commensurate with an ideological incline.”

In October last year, the government removed advisory committees that are reconstituted every three years at the NGMA’s Mumbai and Bangalore centres to help decide which artists and pieces to include in exhibitions. Now, the government has the only say in who or what will be on display.

“This control over the NGMA, which is the sacrosanct venue for artistic expression and viewing of diverse art, is the recent most casualty in this ‘war against humanities’ as someone recently put it!” Pakekar said referring to the government’s decision. “ I am truly disturbed….What is more upsetting is that those privy to such unilateral orders did not speak out, protest or even question it.”

Row over the speech

During his remarks, Palekar was first interrupted by Suhas Bahulkar, former chairman of the advisory committee in Mumbai, who asked him to stay on the topic of Barwe’s work. As Palekar spoke more, he was interrupted by curator Jasel Thacker who said “This function is about Bawre. Let’s stick to that.”

Palekar asked Thacker if she was asking him not to speak, even though he was invited to. To this, Thacker said, “I’ve invited you to speak on Bawre. Prabhakar Bawer, sir.”

Just got this video of one of my favourite actors, Amol Palekar, being cut off while ruing the loss of independence in art at @mumbai_ngma simply because he seemed critical of a Ministry of Culture/NGMA decision.

This is what #intolerance in the present times is all about. Sad! pic.twitter.com/u8L30qeiz7

— Annu Tandon (@AnnuTandonUnnao) February 9, 2019

In response to the interruptions, Palekar addressed the audience and spoke about Nehru’s niece and journalist Nayantara Sahgal, who, at the last minute, was disinvited to the 92nd Marathi Sahitya Sammelan that she was scheduled to speak at because her speech was critical of the government. He then turned to Thacker and asked, “Are we creating the same situation here?”

Thacker, who sounded defensive, attempted to clarify that she was not censoring Palekar, but only asking him to stick to the main topic of the event. Palekar was unable to complete his speech and concluded his remarks early.

Aftermath

Thacker told the Indian Express, “As much as I admire both Barwe and Amol, my intention was not to prevent Amol from finishing his speech, but instead only requested him to share more about his anecdotes and fond memories of the artist, who was being celebrated 24 years after his demise… Views that are not directly related to the subject of the evening—the art and life of Barwe—can always be expressed at another more suitable time and space, directly addressing the issues raised.”

Amol Palekar repeatedly interrupted during his speech by other people on the dais. The lady said he was digressing from the theme for the evening.
And we say that FoE is intact. There's no undeclared emergency.

— mayflower (@MGNTheTwin) February 10, 2019

The Economic Times reports that Palekar and his wife, Sandhya Gokhale, were told by Thacker that gallery director Anita Rupavataram was under pressure to ensure that Palekar not  be “permitted to make any antigovernment statements”.

Thankyou #AmolPalekar for your courage. There cannot be space for censorship in a true democracy. https://t.co/U1LkTsOaUw

— Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) February 10, 2019

After Palekar’s speech, Rupavataram took the podium and said, “You should appreciate that this is the national gallery of modern art, a government gallery, sir.”

Palekar responded that had he been allowed to finish his speech, he would have thanked the “Ministry of Culture for this magnanimity” and gestured to the audience at the event. Instead, Rupavataram curtly responded, “I don’t take this backhanded compliment at all.”

Palekar told the Indian Express, “So many artists were aware of these changes in policy and there were murmurs all around, and I couldn’t stay silent on the occasion, particularly because this exhibition is the last one to be decided by the advisory committee.”

Public support for Palekar

Other members of the Indian art and media fraternity expressed their support for Palekar. Writer and Director Lipstick Under My Burkha Alankrita Shrivastava said, “Thank you #AmolPalekar for your courage. There cannot be space for censorship in a true democracy.”

Onir, award-winning director and writer, said “Why is becoming any kind of criticism un acceptable [sic]. we should be open enough for dialogue… cant do this!!! #AmolPalekar”

#Shame Why is becoming any kind of criticism un acceptable. we should be open enough for dialogue… cant do this !!! #AmolPalekar
Amol Palekar's Speech Cut Off At Mumbai Event For Criticising Government https://t.co/XDSkkbwmDC via @ndtv

— iamOnir (@IamOnir) February 10, 2019

TV host Mini Mathur, writer Richa Singh, former Unnao MP Annu Tandon, director Rahul Dholakia, and news anchor Sagarika Ghose all tweeted their own words of support for Palekar and disagreed with the handling of his speech. The Congress office in Mumbai also called the video “shocking”.

What a disgusting display of officious mediocrity, busily genuflecting before the government while insulting a great artiste like Amol Palekar. That’s why the govt needs to GET OUT of art/ art bodies and why they are wallowing in a swamp of decay https://t.co/lLbw3ZsOlK

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) February 10, 2019

‘Climate of intolerance’

Palekar isn’t the first artist to voice his disagreement with Indian policy. In 2015, 40 authors, poets, and essayists, including Sahgal, returned awards from Sahitya Akademi, the country’s most illustrious literary institution.

Sahgal said, “India’s culture of diversity and debate is now under vicious assault.” Salman Rushdie also expressed concern about the “degree of thuggish violence” in India. That same year, 24 filmmakers, including Saeed Mirza, Ajay Raina, and Arundhati Roy also gave back national awards in support of students at Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) who were pushing for the removal of Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairman.

Statement by Ministry of Culture

On February 10, the Ministry of Culture addressed the issue and posted a statement clarifying that advisory committees in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi have not been dissolved and will be reconstituted.


Rhea Arora is a staff writer at Qrius


Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius

About Author

Qrius

what is qrius

Qrius reduces complexity. We explain the most important issues of our time, answering the question: "What does this mean for me?"


Featured articles

1

Before Christ

What Does BCE Mean? Difference between BCE, CE, BC and AD
2

GDP

Revealing the Top 10 GDP Countries of 2024: A Deep Dive into Global Economic Powerhouses
3

Android

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Car Racing Games for Android in 2024
4

cars

Best Family Car in India in 2024: Experience Memorable Journeys with Loved Ones
5

Extreme sports

Hidden Chess Rules: Elevate Your Game with Secret Strategies
6

adventure sports

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Why Cristiano Ronaldo Is Better
7

40 Top GK Questions: Boost Your Knowledge Quotient!
8

Why has increased productivity not led to more free time?
9

gita

Gita quotes on karma: Want to live your best life? Laws to live by…
10

Facebook

Facebook and Instagram down: What reason did Meta give?

About Qrius

  • About Us
  • Content Services
  • Contributors
  • Become a Contributor
  • Contact

Contribute

  • Digital Marketing Guest Post
  • Education Guest Post
  • Travel Guest Post
  • Fashion Guest Post
  • Fintech Guest Post
  • Health Guest Post
  • IOT Guest Post
  • Literature Guest Post
  • Politics Guest Post
  • Sports Guest Post
  • Technology Guest Post
  • AI Guest Post

Quick Links

  • World
  • Entertainment
  • Climate
  • Culture
  • Economy
  • History
  • Politics
  • Elections
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & Tech
  • Archaeology
  • Nature
  • Space
  • Tech
  • AI
  • Fintech
  • Futuristic Technologies
  • IoT
  • India
  • Culture
  • Economy
  • History
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • Climate
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
2018 QRIUS. All Rights Reserved