It is quite interesting to note that there is actually an institute that grooms enthusiastic youth to become veteran sculptors in a short span of time, free of cost. It is none other than the KPJ Prabhu Artisans’ Training Institute, situated at Jogaradoddi in the Bidadi Industrial Area of Ramanagara taluk.

This Institute, which has been training youth in the creative art of carving for over a decade-and-a-half now, was established in 1991 and is sponsored by Canara Bank. In order to identify and train talented youth interested in this form of art, Canara Bank started three such institutes in Jogaradoddi and Karkala in Karnataka and in Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu.

This Institute, set up in a sprawling five-acre land, imparts training in the fields of wood carving, stone carving, sheet metal embossing and casting, and terracotta. While the training period for wood carving, stone carving and sheet metal embossing is 18 months, the training period for terracotta is only 6 months.

It is interesting to note that the sculptures carved by the trainees at this Institute are an exact replica of those in the Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebeed, Somanathpura, Pattadakal, etc. In fact, a casual stroll in the Institute makes one wonder if he/ she is in a centuries old temple.

According to Mr G R Nataraj, in-charge of the administrative affairs of the Institute, anybody who has passed his 7th standard can apply for a course in the Institute. The only other qualifications needed to pursue the courses offered by the Institute are dedication and curiosity to learn the art.

Another laudworthy feature of the Institute is the fact that it doesn’t charge any fees for its courses. Being a residential Institute, it provides everything from food, accommodation and reading material to its students, free of cost. In addition, the Institute also arranges study trips to expose its students to famous temples to familiarise them with different types of arts and sculptures.  

Teachers of high calibre

The Institute has employed well-known sculptors as teachers, most of whom are winners of State awards in their respective fields of fine arts. While the first teacher of this Institute was Mr Ashok Gudigar, winner of the National award for his wood and stone carvings, present teachers include renowned sculptors Mr G L Bhat and Mr V Somashekar.

“Our aim is to promote this unique art of carving and to address the problem of unemployment,” says Mr N V Ramachandra Murthy, director of the Institute.

On successful completion of training, if a student fails to get a job elsewhere, the Institute supports him with a loan to the tune of Rs 3 lakh from Canara Bank so that he can start something on his own, adds Mr Murthy. He also recalled the brilliant achievements of the former students of the Institute who had won many National as well as State awards for their exceptional work in their respective fields of art.

The Institute also has a library which is well equipped with books of international standard for the benefit of its students. Adjacent to the library is a room in which all new entrants are made to learn drawing till they attain perfection. Training in drawing is mandatory for all the students of the Institute. Apart from these, there are spacious rooms to learn and practice the art of carving.

The spacious campus has 18 rooms to accommodate trainees during their training period and the trainees are provided with simple but tasty food free of cost. During the training period, students are not allowed to go to their home towns and are given only a day’s off a month.

Apart from various sculptures carved by students of the Institute, one can also find over a hundred types of Lord Ganesha idols.

In addition, students are also in the process of carving international Ganeshas like Cambodia Ganesha, Brazil Ganesha, Malaysia Ganesha, etc. The order for these Ganeshas was placed by a great devotee of Lord Ganesha in Mumbai.

The amount thus earned will be distributed among all the students for their labour of love, says Mr Nataraj.

How to reach

The Institute, located near Bidadi, can be reached easily as all the vehicles proceeding towards Mysore pass through Bidadi. One has to get down at Bidadi and either walk the 3 km distance to the Institute or take an auto.
For details, contact: 080-272 80 127/ 9845 88 4750