Artist working on creating Rashtrapati Bhavan's digital legacy

As you walk into artist Pratap Morey's room, you are greeted with a panoramic art panel on which the multidisciplinary artist is working as his tribute to the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"I am trying to do a digital work which will be a tribute to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The architecture is very different, with historical evidence to it. Architecture is not about a building with four walls -- it's about the culture, history... I am sure this will percolate into my work and evolve at a different level," Mumbai-based artist Pratap Morey told IANS Tuesday.

Morey, along with Gangtok-based Sikkim Sahitya Samman 2013 winner Yishey Doma Bhutia, Telugu writer Vempalli Gangadhar and Chennai-based artist Rahool Saksena, forms the second batch of artists under the Rashtrapati Bhavan's art "In-Residence" programme.

The "In-Residence" programme for writers and artists was launched by President Pranab Mukherjee Dec 11, 2013, with a view to encouraging senior artists as well as young and upcoming individuals by facilitating their stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The four commenced their programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan Sep 8 and will stay till Sep 26.

The group describes the programme as a "learning" and "inspiring" experience.

"This is an experience of a kind and there are a lot of things we are gaining from here. This is one of a kind residence in a way as usually we have a writer or an author residency, but here the good part is that we are interacting with writers, artists, distinguished people from various fields and also coordinating and discussing with top bureaucrats," Morey said.

For Bhutia, the programme is also an encouragement.

"The opportunity they have given me is a big encouragement and inspiration. For writers, especially from the state of Sikkim, such encouragement is definitely needed because we do not get that there," he told IANS.

Bhutia, who has authored several books, including "Legends of the Lepchas: Folktales from Sikkim" and "Legacy Maker: Pawan Chamling's ideas that shaped Sikkim" shared that her gift to the Rashtrapati Bhavan could be a diary of activities that she has maintained from the first day of her stay at the presidential house.

Telugu writer Vempalli Gangadhar who was awarded the Yuva Puraskar of Sahitya Academi in 2011 for his work "Molakala Punnami", hopes to tell the president about the various problems faced by the people of Rayalaseema.

"Through the short stories I am working on, I will apprise the president of the problems my people face. This residency will provide me an opportunity to do that. I will present the script of the stories to him in both Telugu and English," Gangadhar told IANS, while showing his works.

Adding that the residence is no less than a dream coming true, Gangadhar said: "Former president Neelam Sanjiva Reddy is from my area, so you can imagine what it means."

Kolkata-based artist Jogen Chowdhury was the first artist "In-Residence" at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.