Few entities blend education and art as seamlessly as the Takshila Educational Society and its offspring Arthshila. Founded in 1997 by visionary thinker Sanjiv Kumar, Takshila is on a mission to spread knowledge and spark social change through education, literature, and art. This mission is not just to promote education but also to foster innovation, creativity, and transformation.
Over time, Takshila’s dedication to promoting the arts expanded beyond typical educational limits. The society’s initiatives, like the Takshila Utsav and support for SPICMACAY, show a strong commitment to making the arts accessible. This journey revealed the need for an immersive platform. It led to the creation of Arthshila, which has emerged as a beacon of multi-disciplinary artistic exploration and dialogue, bridging the gap between the arts and the community.
Sanjiv Kumar talks about the philosophy and story behind the two institutions and their broader quest to integrate art and culture into the fabric of daily life.
What inspired the founding of Takshila Educational Society, and how did it evolve into the establishment of Arthshila?
In 1997, I established Takshila as a means to cultivate knowledge and foster social change through various educational, literary, and artistic endeavors, inspiring me. Takshila aims to contribute to Indian society by promoting education and cultural enrichment.
Takshila has always championed the arts. This is evident through its initiatives such as the Takshila Utsav, which began in 2006. It hosts diverse art programs in Patna, including at Bihar Museum and Premchand Rangshala. Takshila supports SPICMACAY, promoting art-based programs in schools.
It is during our engagement with these art programs that we identified a significant gap in connecting the arts with people. The realization led to Arthshila’s inception. It’s a multi-arts center that bridges the gap with curated art programs. Arthshila was conceptualized eight years ago but we didn’t wait for the physical campus to start activities. We initiated our programs a few months after laying the foundation stone in April 2016. Since then, Arthshila has organized events in literature, visual arts, performing arts, and cinema through concerts, festivals, workshops, and dialogues in different Patna venues. We also launched three centers in Ahmedabad, Santiniketan, and Delhi and have two more planned in Patna and Goa.
Arthshila aims to be a lively hub for arts and culture, providing enriching experiences nationwide. Our mission is to integrate art and culture into daily life. We operate a world-class arts and culture space in Patna. It serves as a destination for everyone. We aim to realize our dream and contribute to our society’s cultural landscape.
Arthshila is described as an immersive platform dedicated to the arts. What motivated you to create such a platform, and what gap in the arts sector were you aiming to address with it?
Arthshila was born from seeing a disconnect between art and people. Art often goes unnoticed unless you’re part of that world. Our mission is to bridge this gap by facilitating a connection between the Arts and the People. We want to create spaces that inspire artistic expression and meaningful dialogue between creators and audiences. At Arthshila, we invite everyone to explore art interactively. We aim to spark curiosity and inspiration in both artists and viewers. We design every exhibit and conversation to make an impact and be memorable. Our mission is to unite, engage, and inspire creativity.
Arthshila is represented across five locations, each with its distinct approach to the arts. Could you elaborate on the vision behind this multi-location strategy and how each center contributes to the overall mission of Arthshila?At Arthshila, we’re committed to connecting arts with people. That’s why we’re establishing multiple centers in different locations. In India, art venues mostly exist in major cities, limiting access.
Our plan to launch in Patna faced several challenges but we persevered. Now, it’s an upcoming venture this year. We strategically expanded our presence in Ahmedabad, known for architecture and design. This helped us leverage its academic and creative resources. Venturing into Santiniketan aligned with our mission to celebrate diverse artistic traditions. The town boasts a rich cultural heritage and recent UNESCO recognition. Our recent entry into Delhi’s Okhla area shows dedication to catalyzing emerging creative hubs. The establishment of these centers serves as exemplars of extensive philanthropic efforts, urging the need for further replication.
Our mission across all centers is to democratize arts access. We curate dynamic programs in cinema, literature, architecture, design, visual, and performing arts. By establishing these hubs, each with its unique cultural context, we aim to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and ignite a passion for the arts among diverse communities. Through these efforts, we strive to create inclusive spaces where people from all backgrounds can engage, learn, and be inspired by the transformative power of artistic expression.
The Arthshila centers offer a diverse range of programs, from exhibitions to workshops to interactive dialogues. How do you ensure that these programs cater to a wide audience while maintaining a high standard of artistic excellence?
Arthshila is dedicated to offering diverse programs with high artistic standards to a wide audience. We achieve this by curating our programs, drawing from a broad spectrum of art forms and themes to ensure inclusivity and richness in our offerings. We work closely with artists, scholars, and experts to design and execute high-quality programs. Moreover, we actively engage with our audience, seeking feedback to tailor our events to their preferences while upholding our dedication to artistic excellence.
We exemplify our commitment to nurturing talent through initiatives like the Takshila Fine Art Scholars’ exhibition in Ahmedabad. We also host art residencies and camps at Arthshila Art Studios in Siwan, providing opportunities for skill development and creative exchange. Artists of all levels can take part.
We also organize art symposia to foster collaboration and celebrate cultural diversity. The events bring together vernacular art practices from across the country. We have partnered with Achi Association India. This collaboration created Palay House, focusing on Himalayan material culture. The center facilitates research and practice by collaborating with individuals, institutions, and organizations. It fosters critical thinking and sustainable entrepreneurship in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. Additionally, there is a proposed expansion in the south, Visakhapatnam.
Our efforts show a commitment to offering enriching art experiences. We aim to resonate with a broad audience and maintain high artistic standards.
Arthshila also publishes Arthart – The Arts in Dialogue, a biannual art journal. What role do you see this publication playing in the broader arts discourse in India?
The role of Arthart – The Arts in Dialogue, our biannual art journal, is pivotal in shaping the broader arts discourse in India. We chose print over digital to honor print’s timeless appeal. This decision symbolizes our dedication to traditional media. Arthart should represent top-tier print quality with flawless design and production. This should enhance the content it showcases. We see Arthart as a beacon of creative innovation. It pushes traditional print formats with captivating designs and compelling long-form pieces.
Arthart is more than a publication. It represents Arthshila/Takshila’s vision and mission in the arts community. Our aim is for it to reach key individuals and institutions within the arts landscape and serve as a conduit for expressing the core values of our foundation. By engaging with prominent figures and thought leaders in the arts, Arthart fosters meaningful dialogue, sparks critical discourse, and champions the principles of creativity, inclusivity, and artistic excellence. Through it, we endeavor to leave a lasting imprint on the arts discourse in India, shaping the narrative and inspiring future generations of artists, scholars, and enthusiasts.
Could you tell us about the upcoming launch of the Patna Center and what unique offerings it will bring to the arts scene in Bihar?
Arthshila Patna’s unveiling is a significant milestone in Bihar’s cultural landscape. It promises to revolutionize the arts scene with innovative design. The space is meticulously crafted. This center is not just a venue but a hub for artistic expression and immersive experiences.
One of the key features of Arthshila Patna is its amphitheater, which provides a platform for captivating performances. And a children’s experience center, programmed with ThinkArts, nurtures creativity in youth.
There’s also a multi-level exhibition space, spanning four floors. It ensures that visitors can engage with various art styles and narratives, offering a rich and immersive experience. The auditorium, inspired by Mumbai’s iconic Prithvi Theater, adds to the allure of the center.
Arthshila Patna also caters to culinary and cultural enthusiasts. A cafe, to be operated by a prominent brand, is set to open for visitors. Meanwhile, there is a bookstore curated by Paperback to offer visitors a chance for literary exploration. The craft store with Sabrangi showcases the rich handloom heritage of Bihar, adding another layer of cultural immersion.With a focus on visual arts, theatre, music, dance, literature, and cinema, Arthshila Patna aims to become a dynamic hub for creative exchange and cultural enrichment. The center seeks to enrich the arts landscape in Bihar and beyond, fostering a vibrant community of artists and enthusiasts.
