Mangalore: 'Bappa Ganapa' Depicts Myriad Forms of Lord Ganesha on Canvas
Mahesh Nayak
Mangalore, Sep 1: 'Banna Ganapa', a unique exhibition of paintings on Lord Ganesha by 12 artists was inaugurated at 10:30 am on Thursday September 1 by Ganesh S Rao, founder chairman of Karavali Group of Colleges here. Rohan R Monteiro, managing director, Property Infratech India Pvt Ltd was the chief guest on the occasion.
The exhibition is hosted by Art Insight at its art gallery situated at Kadri Service Station, Shivabagh here to commemorate its successful two years. IndianOil Corporation Mangalore Divisional Office is the sponsor and co-organizer of the event.
The exhibition, which coincides with Ganesh Chathurthi and IndianOil Day, will be open for public viewing for seven days (till September 7) at the gallery from 10:30 am to 9 pm.
It features about 30 paintings by 12 professional artists of the coastal region. The participating artists are: Anil Devadiga, Dinesh Holla, Harish Kodialbail, Harish Marne, Jayavanth, Jeevan A S, Kandan G, Mohan Kumar B P, Rajendra Kedige, Reshma Shetty, Syed Asif Ali and Vishwas M.
Addressing the assembled gathering, Ganesh S Rao observed that every artist’s talent is unique and it is futile to compare one artist with another. "Lord Ganesha being a universal god has innumerable forms and each of participating artists has depicted his own personal vision of Lord Ganesh," he said, adding, "While creative license gives the artist the freedom to depict this god in any form (aakara), one should also take care to see that there is no distortion (vikaara) which may hurt people's sentiments."
He appreciated the initiative taken by Art Insight to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi festival in this innovative way. "Even organizing this kind of exhibition dedicated to Lord Ganesh is a way of offering pooja to him," he said, "This exhibition is an example of what can be achieved if we all work together."
He particularly lauded the efforts of IndianOil Corporation in promoting art and said more such events are needed to motivate talented youngsters to take to art. He offered his institution’s campus and resources to the artist community for the purpose of promoting art in the future.
In his address chief guest Rohan R Monteiro said he was very happy to be a part of the event and wished that this exhibition which is being organized in the name of Lord Ganesha will bring peace and property to the land and its people.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with a statement of condolence and silent tribute to veteran artist Panambur Purushotham Karanth who passed away last evening.
The dignitaries individually felicitated each of the participating artists by presenting a rose. Karunakar M.H. and Rajendra Kedige of Art Insight and the premises owner Gurupreeth Alva of Kadri Service Station were present on the occasion.
Art Insight – A Unique Gallery
Art Insight is India’s first art gallery to be situated in an IndianOil fuel outlet. The innovative idea of having a permanent art gallery in a filling station was conceived by Indian Oil Corporation as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility for promoting art awareness in society. The gallery is run by S S Creations with the full support and encouragement of IndianOil and the help of the artist community of the region.
The gallery is associated with more than 25 artists of Kasargod, Mangalore and Udupi districts and has been actively promoting art with the patronage of the public including banks, corporates and organizations.
For further details contact:
Rajendra Kedige, Gallery in-charge - 9480014812
Karunakar M H, Director, SS Creations - 9845256087