Karnataka - Bangalore   

Art for Karnataka's sake

Govind D. Belgaumkar

Artists are giving expression to their thoughts

DIFFERENT STROKES: Artists at a workshop organised at Suvarna Karnataka Kalagrama in Bangalore on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: Tucked away from the Ring Road near Mallattahalli and surrounded by bushes small trees and under the makeshift tents, over 100 artists and connoisseurs are giving expressions to their thoughts on different facets of Karnataka in Kalagrama on the Jnanabharathi campus.

Of them, painters certainly have a wider canvas — if some are attempting to capture Karnataka's history in different forms and shapes, others have taken up contemporary issues such as the Cauvery award. Many are paying their tribute with their brush to writers or poets such as Beechi, Kuvempu, Da. Ra. Bendre and Masti Venkatesh Iyengar.

Chittara painting (wall murals governed by rules of symmetry and dominated by straight lines) on a round building capture the eye.

Local artist Umesh Hadapada and Hanumanth Manathalli and Rajaram Popre, both from Gulbarga, are giving finishing touches under the guidance of expert Kishor Naik of Sagar.

Sculptors, who have chosen to work either under the shade of trees or in the tents, are busy at work with their hammer and chisel. If one rock has taken the shape of a boat, another that of an animal form. Many are intriguingly abstract.

Some attempt to reproduce the classic temple statues, preferring tradition to modernity. Four are sculpting deities, and one is so involved he is oblivious to everything around him, intently concentrating on manoeuvring his chisel and mallet on a delicate detail.

In another corner, a group is busy giving shape to earthenware while others are working on wood engraving and carving.

The art camp, organised by the Department of Kannada and Culture, started four days ago, benefiting both artists and as well as students.

For artist M.J. Banglewale of Hubli, the camp has helped him understand the tumultuous history of Karnataka's unification.

He learnt that Adaragunchi Shankaragouda, who fought off pressure from Jawaharlal Nehru on the unification, had undertaken a 21-day fast giving a big boost to the struggle. Four years ago, he mysteriously disappeared from his village near Hubli and has not been traced yet.

Mr. Banglewale, armed with Shankaragouda's picture, is painting the unification hero's portrait on a huge canvas.

Students such as M.L. Gurumurthy from Nirmaala Arts School, Hassan, are thrilled over the exposure to art and the production of artworks. This would help them in future, they say.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

A little care can ensure enough water for all
Decision on election of Council Chairman today
For a perfect development model
Art for Karnataka's sake
Police hesitant to enforce ban on Mysore Road
Suvarna Gramodaya: dharna in Assembly
It's a `cool' day one for SSLC examinees
Help in raising tax collection, trade, industry told
Students advised not to get stressed out
Down's syndrome: alternative medicine may give better relief
Hebbal-Central Silk Board metro line under study
Mining: Congress firm on CBI probe
A vision for the country's development
Prevent wastage of water: Futehally
Congress stages walkout in Council
Panel to seek review of judgment
No power
Kondaiah murder: hearing today
Clarification
Students protest
Around the City
Admissions open for clinical data course

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu