Its art, art, art and only art. Stalls have risen on both sides of the half a kilometre stretch that connects the NH to Akshvani/ Circuit house in which more than 5,000 art pieces of different genres are on display. Starting from landscape, portraits, murals, abstract, traditional art, collage and photography to fabric, glass, metallic, terracotta and sand, you name it and you can find it in Kadri Park.

The day-one of Kudla Kalaavali Kalaamela was eventful with the primary school level painting competition in the morning and two live demonstrations in the afternoon.

Hundreds of children participated in the painting competition which was inaugurated by KMC Professor of Paediatrics Dr U V Shenoy. Reputed Artists C S Krishna Shetty and Dayananda along with President of DK Working Journalists Association Raveendra Shetty were chief guests on the occasion.

Veteran artist from Udupi P N Acharya was unbelievable with his dexterity in painting landscapes in less than 10 minutes. He demonstrated painting 4 lanscapes live as part of the ‘Lalitha nisarga’ programme. He also found time to interact with the budding artists of various art schools in the City. The programme was inaugurated by Sudhir Ghate of Magnum Intergrafiks while Chairman of Adarsha College of Management Studies Jayachandra Kajekar was the chief guest.

‘Bhavaninada,’ the portrait demonstration was carried out by eminent artist Madhusudhan Kumar from Mumbai.

He, in a matter of an hour created a beautiful portrait of veteran artist of Mangalore M R Pavanje. ‘Bhavaninada’ was inaugurated by Sandesha Foundation Director Fr Francis Lewis in the presence of Srinivas Bhandary and senior artist P P Karanth.

Mr Madhusudhan Kumar also entertained the art loving gathering with his sitar performance later in the night.

There were also other entertainment programmes like Bharatnatyam and Mimicry.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Bank Chairman Ananthakrishna inaugurated the Kalaamela. Deputy Commissioner M Maheshwara Rao, Kannada Sahitya Parishat District President Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, KCCI President Kumble Narasimha Prabhu, Surathkal MLA Krishna J Palemar, Chairman of Alva’s Educational Trust Dr Mohan Alva and eminent artists Ramesh Rao U from Udupi and P S Punichithaya from Kasargod were guests on the occasion, while artist D K Chowta will presided.

The Kalaamela is being organised jointly by S S Creations and Artists of undivided Dakshina Kannada district.

Apart from fine art works, there are various clothing materials, bags, ornaments, fashion accessories, candles and other objects kept for sale in the mela which will conclude today.