Mangalore, December 19: ''I have not come here with any expectations that my paintings would be sold in a day's time. I do not mind if I fail to sell even a single piece of painting. I have come here and displayed my art piece with an intention to create awareness and interest in paintings among the Mangaloreans,'' said young and energetic artist from Mangalore Navin Kodikal.
A self taught artist and clay model maker by profession, Navin usually paints portraying the culture and tradition of Tulunadu, for the first time he exhibited his paintings in public on Sunday.
It is not just Navin, but there were several such budding artists who got an opportunity to display their art works and sell it to the art connoisseurs at Kudla Kala Mela organised by Karavali Chitra Kalavidara Chavadi for the third time in Mangalore on Sunday. Kadri Park was abuzz with activities. A large number of people had gathered to witness Kudla Kala Mela, a replica of famous 'Chitra Santhe' of Bangalore.
About 161 stalls by various artists, art galleries and art schools put up on both sides of the road leading to Kadri Park exhibited the paintings and carried away the visitors to virtually a colourful world.
The art lovers who are usually made to visit various art galleries to pick up the painting of their choice got an opportunity to make choices as varieties of paintings were available under one roof.
From traditional Madhubani paintings to contemporary arts, from landscapes to line arts from paper cuts to spot portrait making, every other form of paintings were assembled at Kadri Park as part of the event. Artists from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasargod, Chitradurga, Dharwad, Davangere, Bangalore, Mysore, Hassan districts and even Andhra Pradesh took part in the Mela.
As many as 27 children from Chitkala Foundation, Hassan who had come all the way from Hassan to partake in the event were the centre of attraction. The students between the age group of eight to 14, proved their talent as they spread colours creating landscapes within 15 to 30 minutes.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, their mentor and the Foundation Head B S Desai said that though landscape is mostly treated as an art for elders, his students proved it wrong.
“Give them a little freedom to paint and teach them the basics, then these children can make everything possible,” he said.
As five of the kids began to paint on 5X10 feet canvas, the audience cheered them for better result.
The outcome of the co-ordinated effort of the five children was a vibrant landscape painting which was completed within six minutes, in the backdrop of a soothing music.
There were at least three artistes in the venue to meet the needs of those who wished to have their own portrait drawn on the spot.
As P R Bhat, an artiste from Udupi, told a little girl that he would draw her sketch within 15 minutes, the tiny girl was all curious.
She sat posing for the portrait, was all glee when she saw the picture which was exactly like her. Artistes Sayed Asfal, Lakshminarayana were also working on the portrait at the spot.
Hussain from Bangalore taught the children the art work called Sanji which is made by folding and cutting the plain papers artistically. Hussain said that though the art is well-known as Kirigami in Japan, it is less exposed in India.
Having its root in 14th Century, Sanji has never received the prominence it deserved. So I am doing my bit for the last eight years, to revive this dying art form, he said.
Earlier presiding over the inaugural function, senior art critic A Eshwaraiah flayed the trend of defining a painting. “Paintings or art works are not to be defined. A painting always tells the experience of an artist and there is no point in trying to find a meaning to an art work,” he said.
He also expressed his concern over the growing number of fake artists who opt for abstract painting and scribble bluntly. It has been the recent negative trend as abstract paintings do not seek any explanations, he said. He urged all the schools to purchase at least one painting each and display it on the school walls, so that the artists are supported in a small way.
Kala Mela was organised in 2007 and 2008 respectively. However, the artists felt that there was lack of response from Mangaloreans this year compared to previous years.
Over 1,500 art works at 161 stalls exhibited at Kudla Kala Mela.
The event is organised in the city after a gap of two years
'Varna Sethu'- landscape arts by children from Hassan was the centre of attraction. Line arts training was held for children in the memory of K K Hebbar.
Hemanth Kumar from Hassan, who is the Limca record holder for painting inside the pen, was a crowd puller in the Mela. Hemanth Kumar, the proprietor of Kumar Arts displayed a few art works, he has created inside the bottles, pens and refills, left the people wonder about his creativity.
Hemanth has so far painted in 2,000 pens, 700 bottles and 100 refills.
Comments
Add new comment