Siddaramaiah at the 22nd edition of Chitra Santhe.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the 22nd Chitra Santhe at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP), urging the public to support local artists by purchasing their works.
"Every home should have a work of art. While people spend on various things, it's important to allocate some money for art as well," he said during the event.
This marked the seventh time Siddaramaiah inaugurated the Chitra Santhe as Chief Minister. He lauded the KCP’s efforts in showcasing Karnataka's culture, heritage, and traditions to a global audience through art.
"It is remarkable that artists from 22 states are participating in this year’s Chitra Santhe. I haven’t seen an event of this scale anywhere else in the world. It’s a matter of pride for Karnataka. With over four lakh visitors, this festival presents a golden opportunity for Bengaluru,” he added.
The Chief Minister also highlighted this year’s theme — protecting the rights of women and girls — by quoting social reformer Savitribai Phule: “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate an entire family and, eventually, a nation."
He said the government is committed to women’s empowerment through projects like Shakti scheme and Gruha Jyothi, which aim to foster both economic and social progress for women.
The inaugural ceremony included Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries signing a painting presented by the KCP. The Chief Minister was also gifted a painting by the Parishath.
Urban Development and Town Planning Minister Byrathi Suresh, Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan, and Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar attended the event.
Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge also participated, purchasing a painting of Buddha, and engaging with artists at the fair.