K K Hebbar's art on show

Sketches depicting various sculptures that inspired Hebbar on his trips to Cambodia and Indonesia will be part of the display. The art works have been obtained from his daughter Rekha Rao.

The Department of Kannada and Culture has put together the collection to mark Hebbar’s birth centenary. Artists, art lovers and enthusiasts can visit the exhibition at Venkatappa Art Gallery till June19.

The department had also organised a seminar on Tuesday, where art critics and those close to Hebbar spoke about the artist, his life and body of work.

Art critic Chi Su Krishna Setty said there was a paradigm shift in the Lalita Kala Academy, when Hebbar took over as its Chairman. Until his reign, the Academy laid a lot of emphasis on exhibiting traditional art forms. It was Hebbar who heralded modern and contemporary art form in Karnataka.

He played an instrumental role in the setting up of Jahangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, he said. Noted artist S G Vasudev recalled how Hebbar led a simple life and was connected to the child in him, which is a true hallmark of a genius.

“He was a father figure to me. Unlike most artists including me, he had absolutely no qualms in giving away his paintings for free. Hebbar never did anything against the dictates of his heart,” he said.

The State government has decided to celebrate Hebbar’s centenary celebrations throughout the year. The Kannada and Culture Department will host celebrations in Bagalkot, Udupi and Gulbarga, in addition to displaying his creations. Hebbar’s literary productions too will be republished, said Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol.

 Karjol sings a different tune

Contrary to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s announcement that Bhuvaneshwari statue would be set up at Lalbagh, Govind Karjol on Tuesday said his department was yet to identify a place to install the statue. Though Rs 25 crore has been allocated for the statue, place needs to be ascertained. Also, Rs 4 crore has been set aside to establish Basavanna study centres at four international universities, he said.