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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep.18 (EMN): Advisor for Task Force for Music and Arts (TaFMA), Theja Meru, has called upon the art fraternity to continue supporting one another, which is vital for going a long way.
He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Venuh Art Space,’ an art gallery set up by Among Venuh, a 25-year-old visual artist, at Supply Colony in Kohima on Saturday. Stating that it has always been the vision of the state chief minister to see youngsters excel in art and music, Meru informed about the various plans and projects of TaFMA, which are in the pipeline to be implemented.
He reiterated how art was added to the Music Task Force during 2019, which has been now branded as "TaFMA" to support and promote artists and musicians from Nagaland.
Thanking Almighty for the "natural talents" bestowed upon the Nagas, he asked the artists and musicians to continue extending their support to one another, which is the "strength" of the fraternity.
"The arts and music community is not a very big fraternity but their strength lies in supporting one another," Meru said adding, "Without the feet, hands, and dreams of musicians and artists, TaFMA is just a building."
"You are the life for TaFMA," he added.
He recalled how they had organised state-wide art contests touching every district and other events through social media and said they had also sold art works of local artists over INR 7,00,000 through TaFMA initiative despite the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
He maintained that TaFMA is leaving no stone unturned in search of talents while promoting local artists and musicians not only in Nagaland but even beyond the state as part of the chief minister's vision.
While congratulating Among Venuh, he said the proprietor has 'fulfilled a part of his dream' with sheer determination by opening the gallery to sell and display his creation. He added that Venuh is one of the most prolific artists in Nagaland, who is 'always busy and sincere with his work and someone who has learnt to take advantage of social media to promote his paintings.'
Reminding the artist to remain consistent and relentless to achieve greater heights, the advisor said that making a living through art is "absolutely possible" as long as one is dedicated to the profession. He further hoped that the gallery would have more art lovers and visitors from both within and outside the state in the days ahead.
Speaking to this newspaper, Venuh said it has been a long-awaited dream for him to come up with an art space of his own. He shared how he started painting at a very young age and went on to inform how he quit studies while doing his BA to become a full time artist somewhere around 2014.
"I am happy that I can survive through my paintings," said Venuh, who focuses more on landscape.
K Cynthia Kolakhe, art and drama educator, lauding the art works of Venuh, said that he is a dedicated artist and someone who never stops believing in himself.
A collection of landscape, portrait and still life among other paintings were displayed while some art works of local artists such as Avikho Sachü and Vimhakho Sotetsu were also exhibited at Venuh's art gallery during the day.