Heritage takes a bow: Bombay School of Art will have a new name

It will now be known as 19th Century Painting — Mumbai

Heritage value has bowed to militant politicking. Buckling under the pressure mounted by various political parties, especially Shiv Sena, Bhau Daji Lad Museum Trust has agreed to rename the historic Bombay School of Art Gallery. Henceforth, it will be known as 19th Century Painting - Mumbai.

Mayor Shubha Raul, chairman of the trust and also a Shiv Sena corporator, had threatened to revoke the trust’s contract of managing the BMC-owned  museum unless the change in name was not effected.

The managing committee of the trust also comprised private entities, such as Bajaj Foundation and Intach. While BMC spent Rs3 crore for restoration and renovation of the museum, the Bajaj Foundation contributed Rs2 crore.

Shiv Sena has been demanding to rename all that is Bombay to Mumbai. Raul served an ultimatum on Bajaj Foundation - change the name by June 19, otherwise BMC would begin procedure to take back the museum.

Tasneem Mehta, managing trustee and museum director, said, “The name has been changed following a request from the corporators. The reason behind the new name, 19th Century Painting - Mumbai, is that there is a collection of 19th-century paintings, which was donated by JJ School of Arts and Bombay Presidency.”

This would definitely boost the Sena agenda of wiping out the name Bombay from the face of the city. Raul said, “If the official name of the city has changed, the others have to follow suit.”

To appease Sena, the museum trust has started corresponding with BMC in Marathi.

m_pandurang@dnaindia.net