Bangalore certainly seems to be a hub of art connoisseurs considering the number of art galleries that have mushroomed in the City. Added to the list is ‘Rishtey’ which was inaugurated recently. Rishtey has been started in collaboration with Galerie Karma which is in Kolkata.
Karma was started a year ago in Kolkata as a means to promote art. Amitabh Bhattacherji, who is the director of Karma with help from Akumal Ramachander, who has been the creative force, primarily engage artists to work with them to create art. “I keep going to Kolkata and I work with artists to help them create the paintings.
Sometimes, I give them ideas on how they can improve or change some of their work,” says Bangalore-based Akumal, who is also a writer.
The gallery in Bangalore, which is called Rishtey has been inaugurated with a show by 12 artists from Bengal. Says Marisa D’Silva of Rishtey, “Even after this exhibition is over, we will continue to get work from Bengal.” But would they be showcasing only art from Karma? Says Amitabh Bhattacherji, “Once the team in Bangalore starts discovering artists here, we will definitely promote local talent as well.”
With lovely landscapes, charcoal on paper, floral themes and various other themes, this exhibition certainly seems to be good. The paintings are priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 70,000. The artists whose works are on display are Swapan Saha, Arunava Mondal, Dhiren Sasmal, Diptish Ghosh Dastidar, Pradip Pradhan, Pradip Das, Saikat Maity, Rajib Bhattacharjee, Sudhangshu Bandopadhyay, Subrata Sen, Sujit Ghosh and Sudipta Tewari.
Apart from the paintings that are on sale, one can also have a personalised work of art done as well.
Marisa explains, “If someone wishes, they can commission an artist for a day and ask him to paint something for them.
This is great because it bridges the gap between the artist and the person who is going to appreciate the work.
Also if you like a painting that has been sold out, he will be able to create something similar for you!”
The exhibition is on till January 15 at Rishtey, No. 384, 16th Main, 2nd Cross, 3rd Block, Koramangala. For further details, call Harsha at 99803 60869.
