A blend of folklore, natural beauty and landscapes embellished the painting exhibition, which started in Udupi on Sunday. The expo, which displays the creativity of Drishya School of Arts students, is organised by Artist Forum. Twenty two artists are participating in this five-day long painting exhibition.

Most of the paintings are depicting the traditional culture of coastal region. Apart from those which depict tradition, culture and folklore, some paintings show the sign of modern and realistic class of paintings. The artists used a variety of colours and the usage of hues was dominant in most of the paintings.

Sneha, one of the participants, told Deccan Herald that she is more fascinated with the portraits and anatomy of human body. “I like to portray the fine details of human body, through my paintings,” she said.

Another budding artist Pavanraj is interested in using bright colours. He says water and light, both symbolise celebrations and cheerfulness. “I represent water in the canvas especially with the background of evening and night mode reflection,” he said.

Anusha Kamath scribbles the painting with dull shades with the spark of bright colours at the core. Her painting 'sanctum sanctified', has lord in bright tint in the midst of the dark shades of hue. She said, “I am interested only in traditional paintings, through which I can express my ideas. My paintings are blend of bright and dark shades.”

The paintings of Chandrakala Rao, Vasanthalaxmi Hebbar, Surena Shetty, Gayatri Nayak, Medha Pai, Ashok Shet, Anil, Pavanraj, Manpreeth Chabba, Shwetha Kunder, Dr Shwetha Kamath, Manmohan Pai, Sneha Baliga and Laxmi Kamath are also displayed on the occasion.

Speaking after inaugurating the expo, Manipal Institute of Management Director Prof P Ramakrishna Chadaga said that art is one unique feature, that is least affected by any religion or caste. It is beyond everything and has its own values of aesthetics. Art gives immense pleasure and peace to human minds besides being influential, he added.

Artists Forum President Ramesh Rao said the art classes and expo are held to educate upcoming artists to analyze the painting.

Each art cannot be artistic in nature. There are also fake art pieces and the artist should develop the ability to differentiate between real and fake art, he said.