Pimpri: With the approval Municipal Council, the way has been paved for the launch of Lalit Kala Akademi in the city. Therefore, being the first center of the academy in Maharashtra, it will also add to the cultural splendor of the city. In addition, artists from the state and urban areas will have the opportunity to present their art at the national level as well as at the international level.
The divisional centers of the academy are in Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Chennai. This is the first center in Maharashtra. The institute which is under the control of the Central Government is a pioneer in the preservation and promotion of Indian culture, arts, and traditions. Besides the organization also encourages and financially supports organizations that teach, cultivate, disseminate, and teach painting, sculpture, architecture, and other applied arts. Apart from this, important works like filling up art exhibitions of Indian artists at the national and international level, publishing artworks, training and promoting new artists are also done by the academy.
The project to develop Balnagari was taken up by the Municipal Corporation in plot No. 29 in the vacant space No. 29 under Block J in Bhosari MIDC. The Municipal Corporation has completed the construction of five thousand square feet in the first phase of Balnagari at a cost of about Rs. 20 crores. However, the project was halted due to non-availability of funds required for the second phase, and as no institution came forward to run the Balnagari project on an experimental basis.
Meanwhile, a request was made from the Art Colleges, located in various cities of the state, as well as from the Bombay Art Society to provide the Balnagari space for the Divisional Center of the Academy for art development in Maharashtra. The proposal to allot space was approved as it was related to the original reservation concept of Balnagari.
The project has its own benefits as it will create importance of Pimpri-Chinchwad city in the state and promote city tourism. This will also establish a permanent center for the exhibition of paintings and other arts.