Fair for art lovers

Chitra Santhe, an art fair, will be held on January 30 from 9 am to 7 pm at the Chitrakala Parishat (CKP), Kumara Krupa Road. The event will bring together renowned as well as up-and-coming artists from all over the country and facilitate the interaction between the artists and the art lovers.

The eighth edition of Chitra Santhe will comprise the outstanding works by professional and amateur artists. The fair will display affordable art like paintings, graphic prints, miniature formats, sculpture and much more. There will also be surprises for the visitors in the form of new art media.

“As the subtitle ‘Art for all’ suggests, the fair is an attempt to bring art to the public and make it a part of their everyday life. It brings artists on a single platform to demonstrate and showcase their creativity and contribution towards art. It also identifies and encourages up-and-coming artists,” says R H Kulkarni, Principal of Fine Arts College and the co-ordinator for the event.

About 1,400 artists from all over the country are expected to participate in this festival. Artists from Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and from various art schools are going to there at the fair. About three lakh visitors are expected to witness this huge art extravaganza. “Last year’s turnover was Rs 1.4 crore. This year we are expecting much more,” smiles Kulkarni.

The highlight of this year’s Santhe is that for the first time a special invitee show, Multiple Dimensions - Generations and Genre is being organised from January 29 evening to January 31. 99 artists from four generations will be exhibiting their works in the main gallery. Works of renowned artists like Yusuf Arakkal, M S Murthy, C S Krishna Shetty, C Chandrashekar, U S Venkataraman, Ravi Kumar Kashi, M S Umesh and others will be on display.

“For the benefit of the art collectors, we are displaying the name of the artist, contact number and the price of the art work below the art piece. It avoids the intervention of gallery between artist and an art lover,” adds Kulkarni.

When it comes to the preparation part, a group of 120 volunteers under the guidance of organising committee, have been decorating every nook and corner of the CKP.
The CKP is providing free accommodation for 550 artists from other parts of the State as well as the country. The BBMP is providing medical and ambulance services. The BMTC buses will be diverted to help the visitors walk on the stretch. Additional traffic personnel and 100 police personnel will be deputed for the smooth going of the function. There will be electric car services to help senior citizens and physically-challenged
people.

 Folding into a shape

In order to connect with the art-loving sections in the City, Deccan Herald will be organising a painting competition on January 30 at Chitra Santhe from 9.30 am to 2 pm. Drawing sheets will be provided but the participants will have to bring the other stationery. Entry is free.

The competition will be held in three categories – junior level (5 to 16 years), senior level (16 to 25 years) and adult section (above 25 years). The topics for junior, senior and adult sections will be ‘Save Water’, ‘Global Warming’ and ‘Save Tiger’ respectively. Results will be announced on January 31 edition of Deccan Herald. There will also be demonstrations by Origami and Kirigami experts. pers for different purposes.

    Visitors will also be taught to make paper bags. For any queries, contact N Badrinath on 9845429011.