A teacher’s ‘expression’ on canvas
“I had craze for painting since my childhood itself. In school days, I used to draw sketches inside classrooms instead of listening to the teachers,” reveals artist Professor Bantwala Abdul Rahiman. 
Speaking to Deccan Herald after the inauguration of his three-day solo painting exhibition- “Expression-2” at Prasad Art Gallery here on Friday, he said that this is his second painting expo after he retired as the Kuvempu University (Shimoga) Vice Chancellor in-Charge three years ago.
Interestingly, he learnt the basics of painting from wellknown artist B G Mohammad at BGM Fine Arts in Mangalore in the 1970s. “I developed some contacts with artists and art lovers when I was in BGM and organised many solo art exhibitions in the city with the help of ‘Artists Combine’ members and other artists between 1976 and 1995.”
“However, when I had the responsibility of administrative job, I could not concentrate on my hobby and for almost 10 years, I was away from painting, but continued my hobby after retirement,” says Rahiman.
Rahiman developed his own style with strong technical base. Two of Rahiman’s paintings are painted just using the finger tips, without the help of paint brushes. He painted one artwork just using pallet knife.
At present, Rahiman is working as the Head of Bio-Technology Department at P A College of Engineering. His daughters Dr Ayisha Shamreen and Azreen too have interest in art and Azreen bagged the first rank with gold medal in Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) at Kuvempu University.
The expo
A total of 22 selected paintings of Rahiman are on display at Prasad Art Gallery and all are oil paintings in canvas.
Two paintings which are made just using fingers and one art work which is made using pallet knife are the main attractions.
The expo will conclude at 7 pm on February 12.
