100 artists, new beginnings: ‘Namma Art’ national festival kicks off in Bengaluru
In this photo essay from the Namma Art Bengaluru exhibition at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, we share artistic highlights and curator insights.
Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 880 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (KCP) has kicked off the five-day ‘Namma Art’ festival in Bengaluru this week. It was inaugurated by HK Patil, Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Legislation, and Tourism, and SN Agarwal, President of the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath Trust.
The festival brings together 100 artists from 30 cities and towns across India. 20 of the artists are from Karnataka, according to the organisers of this National Art Festival.
“With a rich legacy spanning 85 years, Chitrakala Parishath has consistently championed the cause of art and artists,” BL Shankar, President of Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, tells YourStory.
KCP houses 12 art galleries, an art museum, a research centre, and a crafts marketplace. It established the College of Fine Arts in 1964, followed by the Bengaluru School of Visual Arts with evening courses.
Since its inception, the institution has hosted numerous landmark events: national exhibitions, art camps, seminars, workshops, and more. “The long-cherished idea of a national art fair has now become a reality,” Shankar proudly says.
KCP has also hosted the widely-popular annual Chitra Santhe for the last 23 years, regarded as India’s largest street fair for art. See our coverage of this festival over the years here, along with artist insights on creativity.
“Our newly-launched National Art Fair is envisioned as an annual event and a fresh addition to the city’s cultural calendar,” Shankar affirms.
“Visitors can expect a vibrant array of artistic styles, mediums and voices,” he describes. The event includes panel discussions, live demonstrations, and curated talks to foster dialogue among artists, patrons and collectors.
Ganesh Dhareshwar
“This is an ideal opportunity for young and seasoned art collectors to identify and acquire works by some of India’s promising artists,” Shankar adds.
Senior Karnataka artists featured include SG Vasudev, Chandranath Acharya, VG Amdani, MS Murthy, PS Kumar, KT Shivprasad, Krishna Setty, Jasu Raswal, Madhavi Parekh, Laxma Goud, and others.
“Chitrakala Parishath will not charge commission on sales of artworks sold during the festival. This is a great opportunity for art lovers and connoisseurs to encourage the artists by purchasing their artworks,” Shankar says.
Shivappa Hadimani
“Namma Art Bengaluru celebrates the power of creativity, cultural dialogue, and the collective voice of Indian contemporary art,” says SA Vimalanathan, festival coordinator. The exhibition is organised in collaboration with the Department of Tourism.
With free entry, the festival promises to attract a wide range of art lovers and the general public from Bengaluru and beyond. As shown in this photo essay, the indoor galleries and open spaces of the KCP campus are filled with the spirit of creativity, imagination, and exploration.
“The presence, creativity and commitment of the exhibiting artists are the soul of the festival. I hope this fair continues to inspire, connect and uplift the artistic spirit of our time,” Vimalanathan signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
Ruchi Chadha
A G Nellagi
KK Makali
Studio Ataash
Satyendra Rane
Vidya Prasad
Usharanjan Mandal
Yuvraj Patil
MN Narasimha Murthy
(All photographs were taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath.)
Edited by Jyoti Narayan