Art straight from the heart

The day-long exhibition-cum-sale of artworks organised for the ninth consecutive year by the Chitrakala Parishat was so big that it was impossible for any visitor to stop at each stall.

The entire stretch was transformed into an exhibition ground and nearly 1200 artists from across the country displayed their works in watercolour, acrylic, oil, pastel, charcoal and pencil arts. Budding artists, students of fine arts and amateur painters who could not afford art gallery exhibitions, utilised this one-of-its-kind opportunity to market their work.

For art-lovers, this turned out to be the best occasion to buy some beautiful art at an affordable price. So people came in large numbers to pick the best works within their budget.The event also facilitated an exchange of ideas among the artists.

A drawing and face painting competition was also organised by Deccan Herald/Prajavani for students, who competed in sub junior, junior, senior and adult categories. They drew paintings on various themes like nature, village scene, school and college campus and contemporary cities. Nearly 300 students took part and showcased their prowess on canvas.

Sindhur, a student from Chennai, had taken part in the Santhe two years back and made a brisk business. This year, he had come with a new series —‘Life Study in Watercolour’. “As the stalls are given to us free of cost, we are able to sell our works at a reasonable price. Being a student, I also get a chance to see the works of others and their design principles,” he said.

Komala Madhusoodhan, a housewife and an art-lover, had come with her family to buy some artwork for her newly-built home. “I came here to do some serious shopping while my son took part in the drawing competition. There is something for people of all age groups over here. As I wandered around the stalls with my sister, my husband and younger daughter enjoyed a live demonstration by eminent painter B K S Varma. They also learnt how to make bags, hats and pens out of waste paper at one of the stalls. My parents who cannot walk long distances took a buggy which took them around the exhibition. Later, we all tasted varied food items which were available at the venue. It was a very nice experience,” she said.

City-based professionals-cum-artists like Mohit Varma and Roopa were glad about the facilities offered to the exhibitors. “I am inspired by the works of Ravi Varma and S M Pandit. Today, I have displayed realistic works done in water colour, oil and acrylic. I have been participating in this event for the last four years. I have given a lot of emphasise on facial expressions in my paintings,” said Mohit Varma whose works were priced between Rs 3000 and Rs 50,000.

The on-the-spot portrait and caricature making was a huge hit. A lot of people were seen getting their portraits done by the artists. “We have also organised a book exhibition on Tagore’s works, which were related to art. And we have given a lot of stalls for physically disabled artists to help them. This year, around four lakh people visited the Santhe,” said C M Rudrappa, chief administrative officer, Chitrakala Parishat.