Annual Art Event : Chitra Santhe - 2006

The annual art event held yesterday (Dec 31, 2006) inside the premises of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and on the road outside, was a bit disappointing. There seemed to be more hobby painters than artists exhibiting their works. Most of the paintings were reproductions or bad copies of works by other artists such as the late Raja Ravi Verma and other old masters. I saw at least five equally pitiful versions of the ‘Glow of Hope’ - a famous painting by Haldenkar. Incidentally the original can be viewed at the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in the Jagan Mohan Palace, Mysore. Watercolors on paper seemed to be very popular and were seen to be lying around everywhere. Mehndi and on-the-spot portraits also seemed to be much in demand. There were a few reasonably decent paintings in oils and acrylics - a couple of Ganeshas that I liked, a few abstracts and portraits. Overall, it was good fun seeing people enjoy the carnival-like atmoshphere, but sadly not much can be said about the art!