<p>"I feel reviving a dying art is much better than continuing the existing art forms. Hence, I have dedicated over 20 years of my life, in breathing life to 'Basoli,' a unique miniature painting style, ruined due to earthquake," said Eminent Artist Kamal Ahmed M from Gadag.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He was the resource person for 'Basoli - New Classical Style Miniature Art Workshop," organised by Mahalasa School of Art in Mangalore on Friday.<br /><br />Basoli paintings were born in a village called Basoli, near Punjab. The traditional art form dates back as early as the 14th century. However, an earthquake destroyed the entire village. The historians found very few paintings, amongst the ruins which are today displayed in eminent art galleries. <br /><br />"I happened to learn about this art form, and came across the few remaining paintings. I fell in love with the art style and decided to practice it. However, there were no art schools or teachers, who teach this art. My works are influenced on research," said Ahmed to Deccan Herald.<br /><br />He further added, that he paints the Indian mythology and depictions of Hindu gods, the traditional topics used in Basoli art form as well as his own contemporary touch to the art style by painting the folk life and tribal India.<br /><br /> "In spite of being a Muslim, I widely paint on Hindu mythology. My art works are well appreciated by people from Hindu as well as Muslim communities," he said.<br /><br />Speaking about the art form, he said that intricate lines play an important role in Basoli. Natural colours, especially black and white are used in maximum. Bright colours such as red, blue and yellow are used for composition. <br /><br />Basoli painting style was usually practiced by Shaiva community people, who painted incidents from Ramayan, Mahabharath, Shiva Pooja, Krishnaleela, he said.<br /><br />Another unique fact about Basoli, is that the paintings are miniature. "Some paintings come on a canvas as small as 4X4 inches. Painting in miniature style can be challenging. A painter who paints in miniature style can paint on huge canvases. <br /><br />However, one who is used on painting on canvases may not be able to paint in miniature form," he said.<br /><br />Ahmed, has won three national awards and has organised various workshops on Basoli art form. <br /><br />In the five-day workshop at Mahalasa School of Art, Ahmed plans to teach students the background of the art, as well as the sketching and painting style.<br /><br />St Philomena High School (Darbe) Drawing Master M S Purushothma inaugurated the workshop. Mahalasa School of Art Principal Purushotham Nayak presided over the programme and School HoD in Painting N S Pattar was the programme convener.<br />The workshop will remain open till October 30 between 10 pm and 5 pm.<br /></p>
<p>"I feel reviving a dying art is much better than continuing the existing art forms. Hence, I have dedicated over 20 years of my life, in breathing life to 'Basoli,' a unique miniature painting style, ruined due to earthquake," said Eminent Artist Kamal Ahmed M from Gadag.<br /><br /></p>.<p>He was the resource person for 'Basoli - New Classical Style Miniature Art Workshop," organised by Mahalasa School of Art in Mangalore on Friday.<br /><br />Basoli paintings were born in a village called Basoli, near Punjab. The traditional art form dates back as early as the 14th century. However, an earthquake destroyed the entire village. The historians found very few paintings, amongst the ruins which are today displayed in eminent art galleries. <br /><br />"I happened to learn about this art form, and came across the few remaining paintings. I fell in love with the art style and decided to practice it. However, there were no art schools or teachers, who teach this art. My works are influenced on research," said Ahmed to Deccan Herald.<br /><br />He further added, that he paints the Indian mythology and depictions of Hindu gods, the traditional topics used in Basoli art form as well as his own contemporary touch to the art style by painting the folk life and tribal India.<br /><br /> "In spite of being a Muslim, I widely paint on Hindu mythology. My art works are well appreciated by people from Hindu as well as Muslim communities," he said.<br /><br />Speaking about the art form, he said that intricate lines play an important role in Basoli. Natural colours, especially black and white are used in maximum. Bright colours such as red, blue and yellow are used for composition. <br /><br />Basoli painting style was usually practiced by Shaiva community people, who painted incidents from Ramayan, Mahabharath, Shiva Pooja, Krishnaleela, he said.<br /><br />Another unique fact about Basoli, is that the paintings are miniature. "Some paintings come on a canvas as small as 4X4 inches. Painting in miniature style can be challenging. A painter who paints in miniature style can paint on huge canvases. <br /><br />However, one who is used on painting on canvases may not be able to paint in miniature form," he said.<br /><br />Ahmed, has won three national awards and has organised various workshops on Basoli art form. <br /><br />In the five-day workshop at Mahalasa School of Art, Ahmed plans to teach students the background of the art, as well as the sketching and painting style.<br /><br />St Philomena High School (Darbe) Drawing Master M S Purushothma inaugurated the workshop. Mahalasa School of Art Principal Purushotham Nayak presided over the programme and School HoD in Painting N S Pattar was the programme convener.<br />The workshop will remain open till October 30 between 10 pm and 5 pm.<br /></p>
