Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated a Kalinga Art Gallery and five Regional Art Galleries.  The Kalinga Art Gallery is the largest one of the State placed in the premises of the State Museum. 

The five Regional Art Galleries have been set up in Chhatrapur (Ganjam), Puri, Baleswar, Sambalpur and Koraput.  The Odisha Lalit Kala Akademy has taken the initiative for establishment of the galleries.

The CM announced that a world-class museum complex would soon come up in the State. He said he has directed the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture to develop a comprehensive master plan for this complex with different facilities for history, art and culture.

“We have unique traditions of painting, architecture, sculpture and handicrafts that reflect a long diverse cultural heritage. Art runs in our blood, ingrained in our mind. We should do everything to protect, conserve and promote this unique tradition,” he said.

He said the Kalinga Art Gallery would be a confluence of artists from different regions including those of national and international repute. It would also help art loving citizens and tourists learn about the State’s glorious artistic traditions. 

Patnaik said the five Regional Art Galleries would encourage local artists to display their creativity and promote local art forms. These galleries would be a focal point of interaction among young and budding artists, help them learn and evolve over the time.  

Minister of Tourism, Odia Language, Literature & Culture Jyoti Prakash panigrahi said these art galleries would provide a great boost to the State’s artists.

Odisha Lalit Kala Akademi President Sudarsan Pattnaik also spoke. Secretary to Chief Minister (5-T) VK Pandian moderated the programme.