Head to Chitra Santhe on January 7

The 15th edition of Chitra Santhe will be held on January 7 under the theme Environmental Disaster and Climate Change''.

Speaking to reporters here, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath president B L Shankar said the theme was chosen because of environmental concerns. Photograph exhibition and short films on the theme will also be showcased at the event. Body performance artist Gregory Jackson from Texas will perform at the santhe.

Chitra Santhe is like an open school. It follows the concept of 'art for all and artwork for every house'. Artists get to showcase their talent and art lovers are given a platform to interact with artists and make direct purchases.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the function. Ministers R Roshan Baig and Basavaraj Reddy and Mayor R Sampath Raj will participate.

Around 2,000 artists from across India will showcase their works in 1,000 stalls. The parishath is said to have received over 3,000 applications for the stalls.

Shankar said that students will be given special attention to showcase their work.

Kumara Krupa Road will be closed on the day. Around four lakh people are expected to visit the exhibition. Special arrangements have been made for senior citizens and physically challenged.

Folk dance and music programmes by Chandrika Gururaj has been organised. Along with this, group discussions and panel discussions on art and its development will also be held.

The annual Chitrasanthe award 'Chitrakala Samman' will be conferred upon four noted artists - Sudha Manohar, Dr Tara Kashyap from Bengaluru, S Shiv Munoli from Kalaburgi and Somanna Chitrakar from Davangere. They will be given Rs 25,000 and a citation.