The majestic Bendre Bhavan in Sadhanakeri, Dharwad, was the hub of intense creative activity for an entire week. It hosted a unique painting camp on the life and works of poet laureate Dattatreya Ramachandra Bendre.The camp, which was held from June 13-17, was unique in more ways than one. Apart from unfolding the various moods of Bendre, alongwith visualising his poetry, it also unveiled various facets of his colourful and eventful life within a span of one week.
   As envisioned by artists, Bendre was portrayed as a teacher, scholar, traditional village man, and an achiever, among others. It was, in fact, a rare visual treat to both art lovers and the general public.
Perhaps, such a camp was organised for the first time ever.
   Among the 24 paintings created by artists during the camp, 12 of them were Bendre's portraits while the rest were based on the themes of his poems such as Baro Sadhanakerige, Naku Tanti, Olave Namma Baduku, Sakhi Geeta, Hakki Harutide Nodidira, Aralu-Maralu, Pataragitti Pakka..., Shravana Bantu and Gruhini.
   The artists who participated in the camp were S S Shimpi and Lokayya Pathapati from Gulbarga, Baburao Nadoni from Raibag (Belgaum), Raghavendra Bhat from Udupi, P S Kademani from Bijapur, D M Badiger and Dayanand Kamakar from Dharwad, K S Kale from Sandur (Bellary), K N Ramachandran from Bangalore, P R Bhat from Mysore, Sayed Asif Ali from Mangalore and A B Uppar from Bailhongal (Belgaum).
   The camp was jointly organised by the Da Ra Bendre National Trust, Dharwad, and the Karnataka Lalitkala Academy, Bangalore.
   The Co-ordinator of the camp, Mr Suresh Kulkarni, an artist in his own right, says that there is much to learn from Bendre's literature.
   And, this camp proved to be a worthwhile attempt to present the views of the poet. It was a unique experiment which was appreciated by admirers of art and literature. Such camps should be held at regular intervals to educate youth about the great poet, opines Mr Kulkarni.