A window to Karanth's life opens in Puttur

The unique art gallery, showcases more than 55 artworks created by eminent artists from the country, all featuring Shivram Karanth's literary works

With an aim to inspire litterateurs, motivate artists and enhance a person's creative outlook, Dr Shivram Karanth Art Gallery was inaugurated at Dr Shivaram Karanth Bal Bhavan Samiti premises in Puttur on Saturday.

The unique art gallery, showcases more than 55 artworks created by eminent artists from the country, all featuring Karanth's literary works.

Inaugurating the gallery, Minister for Forest and Ecology Ramanath Rai said that art and artists should be motivated. The gallery is a true gift to the society. It shall help to keep Karanth's work alive and will pass on the essence of his work to the future generations, he said.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, stressed on inculcating principles of Karanth in one's life.
Presiding over the programme, MLA Shakunthala Shetty said that Karanth is a person with frank attitude. He was honest in giving his opinion and never feared in pointing out wrong things happening in the society. There are many things one can learn from Karanth's life and one should make use of the opportunity. There is a need to start a full-fledged Yakshagana training centre in the Bhavan, she stressed and assured development for the Bal Bhavan.

Artist Rekha Rao, who is also the daughter of veteran artist K K Hebbar, unveiled a huge line-art-work, a replica of her father's art work on Karanth.

"My father saw Karanth, as a multifaceted person, overflowing with creativity. The art-work unveiled is inspired by Karanth's life," she said.

Unique gallery

The art gallery has over 20 windows, aesthetically placed with adequate ventilation that allows natural light and breeze to flow in. This gallery is built at a cost of Rs 1 crore from the funds granted to Puttur TMC.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Assistant Commissioner (Puttur) H Prasanna said that the fund was granted to construct a skating rink for children. However, the district administration decided to make the best use of the funds and constructed an art gallery and library which has a spacious skating rink on the roof.

The gallery has more than 20 windows and the wall in between the windows is used to display paintings. The gallery construction started around one and a half years ago and the construction work was given to a private agency, 'Puttur Masterplan'.

Art works

The 55 art works, displayed at the gallery is the result of two creative art camps, organised in the last one year. Artists from all over the country were invited to create art-works based on Karanth's literature by the Dr Shivaram Karanth Bal Bhavan Samiti. The artists who participated in the camp, were made to interact with litterateurs, who could share their ideas on the literature, the artist will paint.

The artists have depicted Karanth's literary works such as “Alida Mele,” “Bettada Jeeva,” “Kanyabali,” “Swapnada Hole,” "Marali Mannigay" and many others. The camp was organised on a suggestion by famous artist Mohan Sona, who takes up free drawing classes for children at the Bal Bhavan.

Discussion

An audio-visual theatre was inaugurated on the occasion. The formal inauguration was followed by a discussion between artists and litterateurs. Suggestions were put forth at the discussion, to develop the Bal Bhavan and start training classes for children.

Ideas were also presented on methods to introduce Karanth's work to the next-generation and also create awareness. Karanth's daughter danseuse Shama Rao performed 'Odissi' in the evening.