A museum showcasing the modern art of Padmashree Neelpawan Baruah, considered as one of the most remarkable modernist artists was inaugurated at Tezpur University on April 9.
Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua inaugurated the museum which has been housed in the humanities and social sciences building of the university.
With the collection of Baruah’s 56 artworks in different artistic media from oil paintings on canvas to sketches in ink and acrylic, the museum is set up under the aegis of the Centre with Potential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA), a special scheme awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to Tezpur University in 2016.
The museum is visualized as a permanent display of his most significant artworks.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Jishnu Barua emphasized the rich history of Tezpur town and the cultural relevance it holds. “Tezpur is a culturally and historically rich town in Assam. The history of Tezpur and Sonitpur is worth telling everyone. A modern museum on Neelpawan Baruah is a welcome step by the university,” said Barua.
Barua also dwelt on the role of a university in enriching the social and cultural fabrics and lauded the initiative taken by Tezpur University in preserving the artworks of Neelpawan Baruah in a befitting manner for its preservation and accessibility to all.
Addressing on the occasion, Neelpawan Baruah’s brother, Sunil Pawan Baruah, noted columnist and retired principal, B Borooah College, Guwahati said that Neelpawan has spent more than 50 years in uplifting the Assamese art. “The opening of this museum is an honour for the entire artists community not only for Assam but for all over the country,” he said.
“I am thankful to the cultural studies department for the initiative they undertook to preserve the works of Neelpawan Baruah. I assure all cooperation from our family in the smooth functioning of this museum,” he further added.
