The 21st edition of Chithra Santhe was held on the first Sunday of January. (Chithrakalaparishath.org)
The entire stretch of Bengaluru’s Kumara Krupa Road was shut off for traffic, as Bengalureans thronged the Chitra Santhe, the city’s annual art fair. The 21st edition was held on the first Sunday of January. Over 1,600 artists from 22 states participated and 3-4 lakh people visited to see the annual art fair.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, who inaugurated the event, announced a grant of ₹50 lakh for Chitrakala Parishad. He said that the government is committed to the development of art.
Speaking at the event, Siddaramaiah said the state government would provide the necessary assistance to establish museums and art galleries in all districts.
CM Siddaramaiah announced a grant of ₹50 lakh for Chitrakala Parishad. (Chithrakalaparishad.org)
Started in 2002 to propagate the concept of ‘art for all,’ in no time the fair grew to be the giant it is today, something both the up-and-coming artists as well as art lovers look forward to. Even during the pandemic, the tradition continued with a virtual Santhe.
Artist Sanjay Lavakere, who has made Bengaluru his home for 16 years now and is participating in the fair for a second time, said he was lucky to get a slot this time.
“I have been trying to get a slot for the last five years, and managed to get one a couple of years ago, but was not lucky the last two years,” Lavakere told the media.
While on one hand, many artists felt that this was an incredible opportunity, some, including buyers, also felt that the selection of artists could have been a bit more exclusive. The more generic art works and prints of famous artists also took up a lot of space at the fair.
Usha Sathish, who has been coming to the fair for almost 18 years now, said her only grouse is that those “typical” Buddhas and Ganeshas are increasing every year.
According to the organisers, about 1,600 artists from 22 states participate in Chitra Santhe. (Chithrakalaparishath.org)
“I think people should try more different things. There are some good artists, but I still feel we can have more creativity here. New artists can try different things because the Bengaluru crowd is ready to experiment with anything, so I think there is scope for innovation, and creativity,” said Sathish.
But in general, artists seem to have understood the pulse of the crowd and are quite happy to play to the gallery.
For instance, Lavakere said he worked on a series specifically for the Chitra Santhe. Lavakere’s bright blue and white themed works that drew inference from Turkish and Greek architecture was quite a hit at the fair and by 4 pm he sold them all.
“The crowd here is amazing. I mean, one would think with so much artwork, people would be confused and not know what to buy. But I see them coming in with very distinct requirements, distinct tastes. And there’s a market for all kinds of art here,” said Lavakere.
The event drew fair share of criticism for catering to lowly variety of art. However, many were content to tweak their work to fit into the pedestrian art.
Like Dyaneshwar Randhai from Maharashtra, who printed his artworks into tote bags and sold them for ₹300. Also, Alok Chakraborthy from Kolkata whose bookmarks, exquisite pen drawings of trees for ₹50, found instant buyers.
Though he had on display huge abstract canvases priced ₹10,000 and above, it was Chakrabothy’s small works priced in the range of ₹200 and ₹1,000, that found buyers.
A regular to the fair for the last 15 years, he has understood the ebb and flow of the demand. At ₹500 for entry, the event is a fair deal for artists, he said. “Besides, I like watching people enjoy themselves. So, I hope that I will be able to come every year,” added Chakraborthy.
Artist Yuvraj Devkar from Pune, who has been participating for 4 years now, also had a similar view. He said even more than selling, just appreciation for his work from so many people makes him happy.
“The event is so big and so many people come. Just for this many artists from Pune apply to be part of this art festival every year,” he added.
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