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The
Indian Army is all about valour, discipline, toughness, hardships and
so on but a little known fact is that it is also quite a storehouse
of art. A total mismatch you will say but not easily seen are their
art treasures and not to miss the plethora of sensitive artists
hidden behind the olive green facade.
>It
is a pity that there is no documentary record of all the art objects
that the Army possesses. Here, a small attempt is being made to draw
the attention of the reader to this interesting collection. Maybe,
next time you visit a friend in the Army a little more curiosity
would be there to see more. Virtually all units possess something
worth viewing; older units possess a great deal more. Since this
organization is blessed with a unique sense of tradition and culture,
all the art objects are invariably well cared for. The other aspect
of army life that helps is their penchant for detail (young officers
are perpetually coaxed to hone their "eye for detail"),
therefore, one comes across well planned gardens, tastefully
decorated entrances, huge rangolis (floor paintings) to say
welcome and so on.
Where
does one look and what does one look for? it is not easy to get rid
of the bias that "art and fauj don't match".
Officers' messes and information rooms and occasionally the
Commanding Officer's office will yield positive results of your
search. Ante-rooms in the Mess normally display the silver trophies,
oil paintings and major shikar trophies (this is, of course, with
only older units); in addition, captured flags could also be
displayed. Being short of space most old units cannot display all
their trophies and art pieces. Verandahs are normally adorned with
minor shikar trophies, cap stands, etc. Very often you can see
regional art from various parts of the country and also from abroad
(in case the unit has been on an assignment abroad) -- the army man
is a great collector. The bars are, in many cases, so well designed
and decorated that they can qualify to be pieces of art themselves
and you can see the most exquisite decanters and glasses of different
shapes and sizes; but, traditionally, cartoons are displayed only
here. Some units possess really good collections of these. The dining
room displays some more silver and vintage crockery. In the ladies'
room (on a number of occasions ladies do not enter the mess proper)
and in the guest rooms one can find the overflow of paintings or
items of comparatively recent vintage. The Quarter Guard (the
cynosure of units) displays captured weapons, bell, etc. and really
well maintained metal boards that display all the orders. The
information room shows the innovative and creative side of the people
in the presentation of various types of information. Medals honour
board is also normally displayed here. Lest one forgets, one must
mention here that sand models made for tactical discussions are
pieces of art by themselves and are made by the soldiers.
Units
have to take lots of care with their art pieces given the frequent
moves; and when units move to field areas all these items stay packed
for three years. Credit has to be given to the folks in olive green
for being able to maintain their stuff despite moves, frequent
packing and unpacking and varying degrees of humidity in different
locations.
Art
will manifest itself in many ways in the army, so you have to keep
your eyes open all the time .... from napkin folding to menu stands
at barakhanas; from the pouch belt the Havildar Major wears to
using inner portions of banana trees as lamp shades; from war
memorials to rock gardens; the lush green of cantonments and the list
will go on and on Everything is planned and executed but the army
does not make much of them. Lots of institutions and headquarters
also possess art pieces and sometimes they have asked for them to be
made as per a plan.
Individually,
the talent available within the Army is astounding. They are not very
visible, because generally people are reluctant to seek permission to
go public (though it is not at all difficult). Painters, sculptors,
photographers, landscapers, designers, ikebana specialists, bonsai
makers, and so on are available in plenty. They think nothing of
contributing their expertise and talent that become a part of the
army.
The
army is a huge reservoir of art; and surely, they deserve credit for
protecting what they have held for years. They continue to do a good
job of preservation despite the lack of expertise. So, think again,
when you brush aside suggestions of linking art to the army as
unlikely.
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