Artists muse on boulevard

Artists muse on boulevard
Deccan Herald

Art and creativity ruled at ‘Chitra Santhe’ on Kumara Krupa Road on Sunday, where over 1,400 artists from across the country reached out to the public with their work......

Art and creativity ruled at ‘Chitra Santhe’ on Kumara Krupa Road on Sunday, where over 1,400 artists from across the country reached out to the public with their work.

Over a lakh pieces of art – from watercolour to oil, from landscapes to nudes, from Madhubani to mirror-work–were strewn on the street, each carrying an unique sense of beauty.

The annual day-long exhibition-cum-sale, conducted for the third time in a row by Chitrakala Parishath, had space for every form of art.

The walkway turned into a shopper’s heaven, with not only paintings, but masks, jewellry, copper etches, sculptures, greeting cards and T-shirts on sale.

With prices to suit any budget, and a variety to satisfy every taste, paintings were available at a range of Rs 100 to over Rs 2 lakh.

Believed to be a one-of-its-kind art mela in the country, Chitra Santhe attracted over 1.5 lakh visitors this year, according to the organisers. Art lovers began to crowd the venue from as early as 9 am, and by noon, the organisers had to make announcements to keep the crowd under control.

According to D K Chowta, General Secretary, CKP, nearly 5,000 pieces, amounting to Rs 75 lakh, were sold.

Portrait artists were perhaps the most in demand, with every second stall having an artist drawing impressions and caricatures of a curious customer.

Even the chief guest, Maharashtra Governor SM Krishna, had his portrait made by artist Prakash Shetty, who finished it in a record two minutes.

“Innovations like this art walkway have added lustre to the festival season,” said Mr Krishna, in his inaugural speech. Perhaps the timing of the art mela, that clashed with Christmas, worked to its benefit. Julianna, who came with her relatives after the morning mass, felt these paintings made for perfect gifts.

“I have told my nieces to pick up whatever painting they like.

“These beautiful art pieces will be more lasting than clothes or toys,” Julianna said.

As for the painters, it was a good way to get recognised.

While eminent painters like John Devaraj, MB Patil and Ramachandran won admirers, even lesser known artists made good business.

“This is the third time I am participating in the event, and this event has helped me market my work better,” says Sowmya, who specialises in painting horses.

Fine arts students also got an opportunity to showcase their talent, pointed out Parishath member Krishna.

Fourteen art schools participated in the exhibition that ended at 8 pm.