Artists want clarity on sketching rules at heritage sites in Bengaluru

Currently, they are required to intimate ASI officials to gain permission.

A 19-year-old from Bengaluru was allegedly asked to leave the historic Pattadakal temple complex in Bagalkot district because she was sketching on location without permission. A R Saadrusha Rao had an A4 drawing book and a pencil on her while visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Sunday.

There was neither a signboard against sketching nor did the security guard and officer on duty show the rulebook despite their insistence, Saadrusha’s mother Anuradha H R told Metrolife. The latter has also detailed the incident on Instagram.

Contradictory rules

The Pattadakal temple complex is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Prior permission is required for creating sketches of ASI sites while on the premises, two officials from the department told Metrolife. They cited sections related to “copying” under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959, as the reason. However, Bipin Chandra Negi, superintending archaeologist, ASI, Bangalore Circle, says hobby sketching can be done without permission as long as artists don’t obstruct other visitors. “But permission is required for architectural drawing,” he clarified.

However, outdoor drawing groups from Bengaluru say they are required to inform the ASI office about their meetup at ASI sites no matter how small their art supplies are. This, they say, is in contradiction to a 2016 clarification by ASI.

“Responding to an RTI, ASI had said no permission is required if a person is not using a camera stand, stool, chair, table, large drawing board, easel or any such appliances within the precincts of a monument,” said Smitha Shivaswamy, co-founder of Penciljam, an outdoor drawing initiative by Nabachika Foundation.The RTI was filed by Ganapathy Subramaniam, a member of Penciljam who is now based in Chennai.

Metrolife has accessed a copy of it.

Allow small supplies

Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Bhoganandishwara Temple are popular ASI-managed sites in and around the city for on-location drawing.

Groups like Penciljam, and Urban Sketchers Bengaluru acknowledge the permission comes through swiftly and has never been declined. Sometimes an email to the ASI office is enough, sometimes a visit is required. “A few times we have got permission after reaching the site, by citing the 2016 clarification over a call. Once we explain what we are doing, officials don’t mind,” says Smitha.

Smitha says the culture of sketching on location in India is growing and the authorities should allow an A4 drawing book and a small colouring kit without intimation. “And security guards must be given visual references to show what is permitted and what is not, so they don’t treat everything as a blanket order,” she adds.

Rohit Kulkarni is a founding member of Urban Sketchers Bengaluru. He says “seeking permission all the time interferes with spontaneous and inspired moments for drawing”. If copying is a concern, Kulkarni wonders how mobile photography is allowed. “In comparison, drawing is an artistic expression, not an exact reproduction,” he explains. An ASI official said “photo documentation using a camera without a stand” was permitted a few years ago.

Smitha says on-location sketching is a good way to promote arts, heritage and tourism. “ASI can ask artists to tag the sites on their drawings on social media,” she suggests.

George Supreeth, co-founder of Penciljam, adds, “ASI can display a phone number or a QR code on site or set up a helpdesk for hobby artists who turn up at a heritage site oblivious of the guideline. This may help them get permission instantly.”