PATNA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar, on Thursday, announced that the government would appoint artists associated with visual art as teachers in high and middle schools of the state.

Inaugurating the exhibition of paintings by noted painter Anandi Prasad Badal and releasing his book 'Mere Shabd, Mere Chitra' on the premises of College of Arts & Crafts, Patna, the CM said a painting studio would also be constructed for them in the state capital.

To add to the legend of Badal, the CM said as many as 1,600 of his paintings were burned in a fire, but he did not lose heart and recreated them. The exhibition held on the day included those paintings, the CM said, adding that his artistic feat should be an inspiration for all other painters who were in the amateur stage and learning the art.

The CM, in the same vein, said stage artistes like that of dance and music were being appointed as teachers, but artists of the visual medium had been left out. Therefore, a decision has been taken to appoint them as teachers in government high and middle schools. The mode and process of their appointment would be decided after discussion, he said.

The CM also said that taking into account the long-pending demand of the students and artists related with the visual medium, the government has decided to construct an art studio, either on the premises of the College of Arts and Crafts here, or at any suitable place in the state capital. He also appreciated the contributions made by the students of the college in making the centenary celebration of Bihar a success. He also recalled the sculpted images made by its students that had been installed in different public parks of the state capital.

To bring home his association with Badal, the CM thanked the painter for making a painting of his mother after her death. He said the paintings by Badal presented nature and life in a lively manner.

On the occasion, the CM presented Badal Sahitya Samman to Shiv Narayan and Badal Kala Sadhna Samman to Amaresh. Among others who spoke on the occasion included former MLC Ram Vachan Rai, writer Kunal Kumar, principal secretary of art, culture and youth affairs department, Anjani Kumar Singh, and the department's director, Vinay Sagar.