Lalithakale and Karakushalakale Dasara: Sculptors depict freedom struggle in Mysuru

Mysuru: As Dasara is about conserving and encouraging art, literature, culture and introducing them to youngsters, 45 national and state-level artists unveiled various art forms during the Lalithakale and Karakushalakale Dasara in Mysuru. It also became a platform for over 650 artists to display their talent.

Ten state-level sculptors depicting freedom struggle, freedom fighters, and the importance of the Constitution, and paintings by 10 state-level artists depicting unification of Karnataka and Suvarna Karnataka Sambrama (celebration of the renaming of Mysuru State as Karnataka) are inspiring visitors at the Chamarajendra Government College for Visual Arts at Siddhartha Nagar.

The artists came up with sculptures and paintings during the state-level workshop held from September 23 to October 3, and the painting camp held from September 30 to October 3 as prelude to Lalithakala and Karakushalakala Dasara.

Mahanthesh M Paladinni from Vijayapura carved a sculpture depicting most of the flags used in India.

P Jyothi Bharathi depicted the evolution of freedom struggle. Naresh Nayka from Udupi sculpted freedom fighters, L Basavaraja from Mysuru carved Bhagath Singh, B C Sukesh from Chikkamagalur carved Subhash Chandra Bose and Prashanth Kumar from Yadgir depicted the Constitution.

Girish from Bengaluru depicted the Preamble of the Constitution with the National Emblem. Daanaiah S Chowkimata from Bagalkot has sculpted old and new Parliament buildings. R Sangeetha from Mysuru sculpted a thumb impression in the form of four lions of the national emblem, depicting that all are equal. Pramod Achar depicted Tipu Sultan's struggle against the British.

Ten teams of national-level artists and five state-level teams displayed different forms of art from across India at the expo held from October 3 to 7.

Santhosh Kumar Paswan portrayed Madhubani paintings of Bihar, Meenakshi Wadya displayed Warli painting of Maharashtra, K R Babu displayed mural painting of Kerala and Prahlad Moharana depicted Pattachitra of Odisha.

Art depicting Suvarna Karnataka Sambrama at the expo held as part of Lalithakale, Karakushalakale Dasara at CAVA premises in Mysuru.

They exhibited 400 works of eight art forms like painting, graphics, sculpture, applied art, photography, inlay, traditional painting and traditional sculptures by artists from across Karnataka. L S Namratha came up with a traditional Mysuru painting depicting Mahishasura Mardini, Jeevan Arya came up with a pencil sketch of erstwhile royal family member and MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar.

There were sculptures of Buddha by S Prakash and Ganduberunda by S Mahesh. G Dharmappa depicted the life of Gandhi with models of Charkha and creations with bamboo.

M N Ravi came up with a prototype of the Silver Jubilee Clock Tower (Doddagadiyara). Over 250 school students participated in a painting contest, on October 6.

Commissioner of Department of Archeology, Museums and Heritage A Devaraju said, "All the events were held to introduce our diverse art forms to the younger generation".

Heritage Java bike rally

Last Friday morning, 80 Java motorcycles took out a heritage bike rally along the heritage structures from Rangacharlu Town Hall. The rally passed through Big Clock Tower, Chamaraja Circle, Lalitha Mahal, Vasantha Mahal and ending at the office of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Department.

Commissioner for Archaeology, Museums and Heritage A Devaraj said that the department is hosting such events to create awareness on the heritage structures among the next generation.

Heritage tonga ride

Couples in traditional attire participate in the Heritage Tonga Ride organised by the Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums in Mysuru on Saturday morning.

Over 40 people from various parts of the state participated in the Heritage tonga ride on Saturday morning. The men wore dhoti, shirt, shalya and Mysore peta while women wore silk sarees. They sat in over 25 tongas/sarots near Rangacharlu Town Hall and rode along the heritage structures. They learnt the history and significance of the structures from Mysore Heritage Experts' Committee member and retired professor N S Rangaraju.

Commissioner of Department of Archaeology, Heritage and Museums A Devaraju said, "Our department has organised this event to keep up our rich tradition and ensure our next generation continues it," he said.

Heritage walk

Over 350 people including students participated in the Heritage walk which started from Rangacharlu Town Hall in Mysuru on Sunday morning. They learnt the significance of various heritage buildings from Prof N S Rangaraju.

The Commissioner of Department of Heritage, Archaeology and Museums A Devaraju said the young generation should know the importance of heritage buildings and it is their responsibility to conserve them.

They have come up with a Virtual Reality Card. If one scans the QR code behind the card and downloads an app of the department, they can get details about the heritage buildings of Mysuru, Devaraju said.

Chamarajanagar University Vice Chancellor Gangadhar and Nagesh Bettakote, Vice Chancellor of Karnataka State Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University also highlighted the importance of conserving the rich culture, tradition and heritage.