My association with the Max Mueller Bhavan…My association with the Max Mueller Bhavan (MMB) started way back in the mid-1960s at the Max Mueller Bhavan Madras. The main attraction to the MMB was its Library and lecture and culture programmes. The legendary administrator of MMB, Desiken was a great source of help at the MMB. There were many memorable programmes which included music concerts without loudspeakers and lectures by both German and Indian scholars. My close contact with the MMB Madras continued till I left for Bangalore in 1971.
And in Bangalore…
My first contact with the MMB Bangalore was in 1967 when I was introduced to the Director of the MMB Bangalore by the then German Consulate General, Dr. Carl Ffauter. I had my second solo exhibition of 24 paintings and two sculptures at its premises in ‘68. Many paintings and one of the sculptures were sold during the exhibition. It was the first time I sold a sculpture and it was bought by the then Director W. Breuer.
Early impressions…
My earlier impressions of MMB were of a sort of dignified ambience for those who wanted to make use of the facilities. All the staff members were friendly and helpful. Twice I attempted to learn German but could not continue attending the classes because of my frequent travels outside the city. The accessibility to information either through library, film shows, lectures or through friendly staff members were the memorable things about the MMB.
The most memorable event …
The most memorable event in which I was a participant was when Dr. Breuer organised an exhibition of paintings of young artists of South India on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of MMB Bangalore in 1970. There were 106 works by 66 artists in the exhibition. I collaborated and worked hard to make that exhibition the most important landmark event in the art history of Bangalore city. The film retrospective of Satyajit Ray and Bharatanatyam performance by J. Jayalalitha were part of the celebrations.
What makes the Goethe-Institut special…
Probably because Germany as a nation has more Indology departments in the Universities of any nation outside India, obviously, a lot of intercultural programmes related to India and Germany were arranged at the MMBs which make these centres very special. In this respect the MMBs maintained a special characteristic till most recently. Most of the recent activities could have been organised by cultural institutions of any other country. Maybe the outlook of the Goethe-Institut has shifted to different avenues!!!!
On international cultural cooperation…
The most important International Cultural cooperation was reflected in the series of events titled “East –West Encounter” held in Bombay organised jointly by the MMB and the National Centre for the Performing Arts Bombay while Dr. G. Lechner was Director of MMB Bombay. The International Artist’s camp titled “Art and Nature” organised by MMB Delhi in 1996, also with Dr. Lechner at the helm was another memorable event. I have participated in exhibitions or delivered lectures at the MMBs at Madras, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Bombay and Delhi since 1968.
My dream for the Goethe-Institut…
My dream about the MMBs in India could be summarised as follows: There could be more and more international cultural events and activities in which participants could be drawn from those countries where the Goethe-Institut functions, and cultural exchange and artiste-in-residence programmes in different countries. Goethe-Institut/MMB could evolve into a forum or venue for world cultural exchange.
The essence of the Goethe-Institut in three words…
BENGALURU NEEDS MMB!
Balan Nambiar is a veteran and internationally acclaimed artist living and working in Bangalore.
