A recurring dispute over the exterior color of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata has evolved into a flashpoint of political friction, as the building’s facade has undergone multiple rapid color changes. The shifting palette—alternating between saffron and white—has sparked a broader debate regarding the intersection of institutional infrastructure and political signaling in West Bengal.
The controversy reached a new peak following the latest restoration of saffron paint to the building’s exterior. This move has prompted a public reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the primary political entity associated with the color saffron. Samik Bhattacharya, the BJP West Bengal state president, has explicitly distanced the party from the painting incident. Bhattacharya stated that the “politics of colour” is not part of the BJP’s agenda and asserted that action would be taken against those responsible for the unauthorized painting of the facade.
The Academy of Fine Arts, a premier institution for the arts in Eastern India, has found itself at the center of a visual tug-of-war. The cycle of painting and repainting suggests a lack of consensus on the building’s aesthetic identity, or more accurately, a struggle over whose identity the building should reflect. The transition from saffron to white, and the subsequent return to saffron, indicates that the physical appearance of the institution is being treated as a canvas for political expression rather than a matter of architectural preservation.
The significance of this dispute extends beyond a simple disagreement over paint. In the highly charged political climate of West Bengal, colors are not merely aesthetic choices; they function as potent visual markers of ideological alignment. Saffron is widely recognized as the symbolic color of the BJP and Hindutva ideology, while white is often associated with neutrality, peace, or different political affiliations.
When a public or semi-public institution like the Academy of Fine Arts is painted in a color associated with a specific political party, it is frequently interpreted as a claim of dominance or an attempt to “mark territory.” The rapid reversal of these colors suggests an ongoing conflict between different factions or influences within the city, where the act of repainting serves as a symbolic victory or a corrective measure.
The Academy of Fine Arts holds a prestigious position in Kolkata’s cultural landscape, serving as a hub for artists, students, and intellectuals. The fact that such an institution is embroiled in a “color war” highlights the pervasive nature of political polarization in the state. The institution’s role as a space for creative freedom is contrasted by the rigid ideological signaling occurring on its outer walls.
Historically, West Bengal has been characterized by intense political mobilization and a culture of symbolic protest. From the red flags of the Left Front’s decades-long tenure to the current rivalry between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, the physical environment of Kolkata—including its walls, hoardings, and public buildings—has often been used to signal power shifts. The Academy of Fine Arts dispute is a contemporary manifestation of this trend, where the facade of a cultural landmark becomes a proxy for political legitimacy.
Analysis:
The recurring changes to the Academy’s exterior reflect the deep political polarization in West Bengal, where specific colors are utilized as visual markers of political identity. By explicitly denying that the color change was a party-sanctioned move, the BJP leadership appears to be attempting to mitigate accusations that the party is using institutional infrastructure to project political dominance.
This strategic distancing by Samik Bhattacharya serves two purposes. First, it protects the party from legal or administrative backlash regarding the unauthorized alteration of a public-facing building. Second, it allows the party to position itself as an entity above “petty” color politics, even as its supporters or affiliated actors may be the ones driving the visual changes. This creates a paradox where the party denies the action while the visual evidence of the party’s symbolic color remains prominent on the building.
Furthermore, the cycle of “saffron to white to saffron” suggests a systemic failure in the governance of the Academy. The inability to maintain a consistent exterior indicates either a breakdown in administrative oversight or a situation where the administration is powerless against external political pressures. The building has ceased to be a neutral site of artistic pursuit and has instead become a barometer for the current political temperature of the city.
Moving forward, observers will be watching for several key developments. First, whether the BJP follows through on its promise to take action against those responsible for the painting. If no one is held accountable, the party’s public denial may be viewed as a mere formality. Second, whether the state government or the Academy’s governing body will intervene to establish a permanent, neutral color scheme that is legally protected from political tampering.
There is also the question of whether this trend will spread to other cultural and educational institutions in Kolkata. If the Academy of Fine Arts becomes a precedent for “symbolic painting,” other landmarks could become targets for similar ideological rebranding, further eroding the distinction between public institutions and political instruments.
The dispute over the Academy of Fine Arts is a reminder that in regions of high political volatility, the most mundane details—such as the color of a wall—can be weaponized. While the BJP claims that color politics is not its agenda, the physical reality of the Academy’s facade suggests that symbolic warfare remains a central component of the political landscape in West Bengal. Until a consensus is reached that prioritizes the institutional integrity of the Academy over political signaling, the building is likely to remain a site of aesthetic and ideological contention.
Sources:
The Hindu – National: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/saffron-to-white-to-saffron-again-no-end-to-controversy-over-painting-of-kolkatas-academy-of-fine-arts/article71337383.ece
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
