Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Introduction

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bangalore stands like a veritable sentinel in the realm of fine arts in the country today. There is virtually no branch of plastic arts that has not had its life renewed, its status enhanced as a result of its manifold activities.

Even while in its formative state, the Parishath launched an ambitious survey of works in the Mysore traditional technique. It yielded rewarding results, some of the rated works in the ornate style enriching the ever-growing archives of this unique art institution. Side by side, the pioneering efforts of its Founder Secretary Prof M S Nanjunda Rao who is the live wire of all its well thought out projects, have resulted in a massive collection of leather puppets. These have together proved to be invaluable source material for its increasing number of research scholars, both Indian and foreign.

One of its major thrusts is on art education. It all began with the upgrading of its nascent Chitrakala Vidyalaya into a College (1964). This instantly favoured its affiliation with the Bangalore University. Subsequently, to facilitate a healthy growth, the college was bifurcated, with the post-graduate wing enjoying an independent status. The Roerich Institute of Fine Arts, became an adjunct to meet the growing needs of aspirants. The annual summer coaching for children, hobby classes in traditional techniques, complete its educational obligations.

The Parishath has become an important centre for all kinds of seminars, lecture-demonstrations and workshops on allied subjects. In these semi-academic activities, its chain of spacious art galleries is of inestimable value. Besides these, galleries attract art exhibitions of varied dimensions not excluding some prestigious ones from abroad.

Of greater importance is their permanent collection. Exclusive galleries carry works of Prof. Nicholas and Dr. Svetoslav Roerich and a vast collection of H K Kejriwal. Provision has also been made for the display graphics of Dr. Krishna Reddy and works of S S Kukke, one of its earliest associates.

In all these activities, the Parishath has enjoyed the unstinted patronage of the State and Central governments’ academies, institutions like the UNESCO and individuals. It is due to their munificence that its massive edifice has become a reality, its library exhaustive and its infrastructure unparalleled. Its open-air theatre is unique, catering to the needs of visual arts. S M Krishna, the Chief Minister of Karnataka is the President of the Parishath’s Trust while Dr. Jeevaraj Alva is the President of the Parishath. Their contribution in the progress of its activities is considerable.

Thus, this sprawling art complex in the centre of the historic metropole is a monument to the unending marvels of Indian art and culture.

The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, having nearly four decades of purposeful residence has become the cultural landmark of Karnataka, its usefulness assuming archival proportions. After its establishment in 1960, it started conducting art exhibitions at both the state and national levels, besides organising conferences and workshops. An art school named Chitrakala Vidyalaya, was added to its budgeting activities in the year 1964.

As an art institution, the Parishath has serveral firsts to its credit:
01. It is a registered body, with definite, organised programmes to promote the interest of art and artists
02. Undertook a survey of traditional style of paintings and leather puppets
03. Introducing leather puppets to the world
04. Setting up degree courses in fine arts
05. Developing a unique art complex of international standard.

SURVEY OF TREASURES

The year 1966 saw the Parishath grow in stature with both the Central and State Lalitkala Aacademies according recognition to it. This naturally attracted the attention of artists and art-lovers. About the same time, the Parishath undertook a survey of the State’s art treasures like the historic Mysore traditional paintings and leather puppets of similar antiquity. The survey, a first of its kind, yielded far-reaching results, the collections occurred from it forming invaluable source material for study and research.

STRUCTURAL EDIFICE

With the grant of spacious land from the State Government and liberal financial help from individuals, its dream of having a building of its own was fulfilled. With that, the activities also increased manifold, each winning the approbation of dignitaries from within the country and abroad. The Governments at the State and the Centre, as also international organisations like the UNESCO kept up their uninterrupted liaison with the Parishath and its work, often extending their patronage in more than one way.

As the Parishath started attracting more participation from artists, it set up a fully equipped graphic workshop and a sculpture studio. They are working in full swing, meeting the needs of artists. Now, the Parishath’s building is almost complete, the first two phases costing Rs.1.32 crore. They consist of several sprawling galleries, a foyer and office accomodation. Ony the last phase remains to be completed.

To facilitate proper and smooth working of such activities that involves greater financial commitments, a Trust has been formed. Founded in 1975, it has four nominees of the government besides a few well-known public figures. S M Krishna, a founder trustee, is its current President. It is fortunate that Ramakrishna Hegde and Dr. Jeevaraj Alva, the current President of the Parishath, kindly agreed to be its trustees.

EXCLUSIVE GALLERIES

The Parishath’a galleries are attracting exhibitions of not only well-known artists of India, but also those abroad. Many foreign countries have also displayed exhibitions pertaining to their heritage in these halls. Quite a few handicraft organisations of Indian states have also found it beneficial to organise their displays in the Parishath from time to time.

PERMANENT DISPLAYS

The Parishath’s permanent collection is steadily growing. Dr. S Roerich, one of its closest associates, donated a sizeable number of his father’s and his own paintings to the Parishath. Two exclusive gallery floors have been erected in his memory, where these invaluable works are on a permanent display.

Similar is the munificence of H K Kejriwal. He has not only donated his rare collection of art and artefacts, but has donated handsomely to raise a separate gallery for their display. To promote the talents of young artists, H K Kejriwal award for 6 young artists was instituted in the year 1998.

Internationally recognised graphic artist, Dr. Krishna Reddy has gifted his valuable graphic prints to the Parishath. Some popular paintings of Mr. S S Kukke are the other additions to this list. The Mysore traditional style of painting, which was almost extinct, was revived by the Parishath under the guidance of Master Artist Y Subramanya Raju. It has reached new dimensions today.

Among its donors, a mention must be made of Mr. Azad Sivadasani of Switzerland. He has donated Rs. 5 lakh to the Parishath in appreciation of its notable contribution in the field of visual arts.

The Canara Bank, under J V Shetty, its Chairman and Managing Director has generously donated a sum of Rs. 10 lakh towards the construction of the second phase of the Roerich Gallery. The parishath is regarded as an important centre for Roerich collection.

ROERICH CONNECTION

The first Doctoral thesis through the Parishath was recently submitted by Pushpa David on the Himalayan Paintings of Prof. Nicholas Roerich. Prof. M S Nanjunda Rao, who is an important contributor in this area of research was invited to international seminars of the Russian centres and the International Roerich Trust, India. His periodical visits on invitation to Russia and his association with these organisations is significant in fostering the Indo-Russian friendship.

Another activity of the Parishath which deserves note is its publications. The colourful tone on the unique Mysore traditional paintings is slated for a second edition. A Kannada version of this valuable work is also on the anvil. Its other books are, a fully illustrated volume on “Ganesha” and “Humanism in Art” by Dr. S Roerich. Recently, a catalogue on Kejriwal collections and the Artists camp – 1996 have been added. To commemorate Roerich’s association with the Parishath, an illustrative album has been brought out. To celebrate 50 years of Indian Independence, the parishath organised a major curated show, “Movement in Indian Art” along with a relevant catalogue.

Today the Parishath stands as a monument to all that is noble and beautiful in Indian Art. Indeed, it is an ideal centre for the promotion of all kinds of artistic pursuits, for which the promoters are beheld as much to the State and Central governments, as to the art loving public of Bangalore.

Infrastructure/Facilities

RESEARCH WING

The Parishath has initiated and probed into the various areas of research in the field of visual arts. South India is like on open air museum and the Parishath is conducting fundamental research in exploring the enormous material laid therein.

The Chitrakala institute of advanced studies takes up short-term, long-term, multidisciplinary research projects in Indian art and culture. This research wing is a fully supported by a cultural reference multi-media collection, cultural achives, personal collection of artists and scholars. The Chitrakala Institute of Advanced Studies serves as a major resource centre for research in humanities and arts.  Scholars, professionals, artists from India and abroad are associated with its research activities. Computerised documentation programme of its collection has been taken up along with phase wise documentation of contemporary artists. Apart from Indian professionals, the Chitrakala Institute of Advanced Studies is drawing the attention of research fellows and visiting professors from abroad, involved in conducting research, workshops, special lectures and seminars.

The Parishath is only one of its kind in the country to provide infrastructure from the foundation courses to Doctoral degrees. It deserves the status of a Deemed University. Efforts are being made to achieve this objective.

Contact Address

KARNATAKA CHITRAKALA PARISHATH ‘ART COMPLEX
KUMARA KRUPA ROAD, BANGALORE – 560 001.
INDIA PH: (O): 2261816, FAX: 080-2263424

Aims and Objectives

EXPANSION PLANS

Among the future projects of the Parishath, the College campus will naturally receive priority. Steps are already afoot to regularize the 20 acre plot in Yelahanka envisaged for the purpose. Once this is done, procedures will be followed to develop a full-fledged campus, including staff quarters, etc. When this is accomplished the present college premises would be available the other activities. Equally urgent is the need to put up three more galleries on the second floor in the main building. All three will be for the sculpture pieces offered to the Parishath by Kejriwal. The graphic works of Dr. Krishna Reddy would fill up another gallery. With that in place, all the valuable works in the possession of the Parishath will find a proper and safe fixture.