BENGALURU: First-time artists and craftsmen of a centuries-old artform will jostle for space on Kumara Krupa Road, on January 15, at Chitra Santhe’s 14th edition this year. The one-day event will bring varied works from paintings and sculptures to prints and graphics.
Organisers, the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, received 3,000 applications this year. Prof N J Kamalakshi, General Secretary of the Parishath, says, “We screen and select the best we can accommodate, and there will be 1,300 stalls this year.” Artistes from different parts of the country, including from West Bengal, Pune and Chennai, will be participating.
Prof Kamalakshi sees the Santhe as a good platform for “artistes to learn and exchange ideas”. “Art schools also reserve a few stalls to showcase the works of their students,” she says.
Art work by senior artists are on display inside CKP’s galleries, with a wall dedicated to the canvases of Yusuf Arakkal. Outside, there will be a music programme at the open theatre on the Parishath premises. “This is to create a lively and engaging atmosphere around the Santhe,” says Prof Kamalakshi.
Kinnala Art
The Kinnala art, which traces its origins to 15th Century Vijayanagara Empire, will be displayed at the show. These figurines, made from lightweight wood, have pieces pasted together with a mixture of tamarind seeds and pebbles. They depict daily lives and religious beliefs nurtured over the centuries.
First Santhe
Among the many first timers is Sowmya Rajkumar from Coimbatore. She will display acrylic paintings including ‘Gandhiji on a Spinning Wheel’, ‘A Girl in a Giant Wheel’ and ‘Bharatanatyam Dancer’. The young artiste, who is a team lead in a private company, was largely inspired by her artist father Rajkumar, who has exhibited multiple times at the Santhe.
“I wanted to display mine as well and approached my father for help,” she says. “I work in a corporate and, in my free time, I paint,” she says.
It will also be Shantanu Das’ first Santhe. He will bring his acrylic and oil paintings, inspired by Chinese art, to the festival. “I graduated in Arts from The Kolkata Government Arts College,” he says, adding that his canvases are mostly around floral arrangements and still life.
“I am eager to be there,” he says, “I believe it will be a good experience... One of my friends recommended that I display my paintings there. He said it would be a wonderful meet.” Shantanu believes that events such as the Santhe are a great place for like- minded people to discuss and appreciate art.
Going Cashless
There is the shadow of the cash crunch over the Santhe as well. But Sowmya and Shantanu are sure they will be able to manage well.
Sowmya says she will open a Paytm account if needed. “If anyone wants to buy my work, they can transfer the money to my bank account,” she says. “They can take their time... I will wait for weeks if I have to.”
She is both anxious and “excited” about the event. To her, it is a place where she can explain her works to the audience. “I want people to appreciate my creations,” she says. “It will be a huge motivation.” Shantanu will rely on Paytm. “Anyone who wants to buy can also use net banking,” he says. “Money is not the only concern. The Santhe is a platform where we can meet and talk to other artistes. I hope it will open up new possibilities for me.”
Prof Kamalakshi adds that CKP has spoken to different banks and mobile ATMs and several swiping machines have been arranged.
(Inputs from Rakshnna Pattabiraman)