On Sunday, all roads led to the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. The annual exhibition of India’s finest artistic talent, Chitra Santhe, drew a large crowds of both aficionados and first timers.

A variety of styles were showcased proving the eclectic skills and vast landscapes of the art scene.

An increased awareness among Bangaloreans about the genres of art and tasteful choice could be sensed in the air.

Sarika, a software professional, was disappointed that she could not find adequate authentic Indian art.

It’s a change from last year and the contemporary move is visible, which no longer fits the traditional Indian outlook.”

A few foreigners could also be spotted among the crowd. Nikola, a tourist from France, said: “I just dropped in to witness something new. I am going back with a work on tribal art representing India and I am truly happy with what I have to show my friends back in France,” he said.

Chitra Santhe, that provides a platform for amateurs and professionals, has given ample opportunities for them to showcase their talent.

For several artists, art is a hobby as well as a medium to express their creative urges. The Chitra Santhe offers them an opportunity to be professional and also be appreciated. A few artists therefore produce art specially for the event.

Sunanda, a homemaker from Bangalore, prepares herself for the Chitra Santhe every year. She ensures that she delivers her best perspective of Indian tribes. “For me, this is a platform to express freely and also a chance to display my talent,” she added.

Bhama, Gauri and Shubha are wives of professors from the Indian Institute of Science.

The trio are blessed with skills to dabble with brushes and colours and have displayed their works side by side at the event. While one of them is an expert in handicrafts, the other two dabble with colours to bring out the best of their art on canvas.

According to Bhama, “Since we three strive to bring out the best of our skills, we decided to take our friendship a step ahead.” Abhishek from Chennai sketches portraits with his deft hands in a few minutes. “Charcoal is my favourite medium through which I can easily capture the fluidity of the horse movements,” he added.

Priyank Sukhanand is displaying his works for the third time. This time around, his works display beer bottles in the shape of lamps. “This is my way of mixing the old and the new styles,” he said.

Even as a large number of people kept thronging the Santhe till dusk, one of the visitors, Ananya Revanna, was at a loss for words. “I am amazed by the variety of expressions around me. I am tempted to take home all the works, if only it was possible,” she said.

Shirish Deshpande from Belgaum excels in ballpen painting. Five years ago, he tried his hands in acrylic and oil paints. When they failed to satiate his creative urge, he decided to master the art of ballpen painting. According to him, ballpoint paintings are intricate and complicated and challenges him to bring out the best of his talent.

Business low

However, business was low in spite of the wide range of displays. A few artists were fuming over the lacklustre sales.  Deshpande was unable to sell a single piece.

Paramesh Jolado, who specialises in abstract painting and cityscapes, said business was unusually dull this year. Same was the plight of Prathap, who lamented that several artists were not happy with the space allotted to them.

“Either, we were placed far from the crowd or our stalls failed to grab the attention of the art lovers, since they were not located at prime spots,” he added.