Mangalore: Nature Blends with Art at 'Varna Vanita' Expo by Women Artists
 
Prakash Samaga
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Feb 4: It is a unique blend of nature with art, but what makes 'Varna Vanita', an art exhibition at Gandhi Park near Mannagudda here even more special is that it is exclusively for women. People who enjoy the serene garden landscape of the park have been gifted with the chance to savour the opulence of art works on a variety of media, be it acrylic, oil, Tanjavoor style or even monochromatic single paint art work. The only prerequisite to enjoy these arts is an aesthetic sense to appreciate true beauty.
 
The exhibition, open on only Saturday February 4 and Sunday February 5, features paintings by as many as 12 artists. The exhibition has been organized by ‘Karavali Chithra Kalavidara Chavadi’ only for women artists.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Dinesh Holla, secretary of 'Chavadi' said that women, especially in well-to-do families, are increasingly sitting at home and wasting time watching TV. "Their creativity is getting eroded in the process, and hence this art exhibition has been organized exclusively for women in an effort to kindle their creative side. In general, women inculcate creative thoughts in their mind," he noted.
 
Noted artist Sapna Noronha, who created 'Warli art', said this was a unique opportunity for people and women in particular to enjoy the works of various artists.

Veena Shrinivas, one of the 12 artists, explained that she was working on a monochromatic single paint artwork which is a form prevalent since 16th century in Goa. "This art was born in Goa and Gowda Saraswat Brahmins were into this art and had them in their homes and temples. Here the artist uses chromatic paint (red oxide). Slaked lime, jaggery is also added to get a natural colour, which boost resistance to weather conditions. This form of art is also seen in Honnavar, Kumta and even in Mangalore where people of GSB community live," said the artist while speaking to Daijiworld.

She was making a picture of goddess Saraswati, and said that usually, mythological characters are drawn in these art forms. Due to the academic pressure on children at schools, their art talent is restrained, however, more awareness is taking place and parents are sending children to learn fine arts.
 
Some artists like Renuka painted landscape. "There's no happiness to equal art," she said. Sheela Nayak, a housewife who is also an artist, was depicted 'Buddha' on canvas with oil painting in contemporary style. She had stopped painting for 20 years, but she has taken it up again. She said she studied art course at BGM School of Arts for nine months. Nisha Bangera from Hejamady, Kodiyadi painted a scenery. She is an art teacher at Mahalasa School of Art.

Jayashree in her art portrayed the idea that only a woman's heart could understand another woman's heart and only she could console her in times of difficulty. Her artwork showed a poor lady consoling a girl from a rich family, for which the artist used different shades of colour to differentiate the rich from the poor. Jayashree is a lecturer in the microbiology department of Alva’s College. She had joined Prasad Art Gallery and studied art for two months. She has also organized an exhibition titled 'Bhavana'.
 
Laxmi Saladi from Rajamandri, Andhra Pradesh was busy in creating a Tanjavoor style of art. She explained that this type of art uses craft work as well. "Gold foil is used in this art and with the help of Arabic adhesive and chalk powder, the layer of gold foil is joined together." Her husband is working at a bank in the city, hence she has been settled in Mangalore for many years. She has been teaching art at her home for students for 10 years.
 
Artist Veena Madhusudan used acrylic colours to paint landscape. She is a teacher in BGS Education Institutions in Kavoor. Art was a gift bequeathed to her, as her father P S Punchitthaya inspired her to take it up, she recalls. She also has done her bachelors in fine arts from DMS College, Mysore. Her classmate (in DMS College Mysore) Vidya Kamath was also one of the participants, who drew a picture of rocks. She is currently an art and craft teacher in St Aloysius English School, Urva. She opined that a good number of art exhibitions and competitions in the city has brought back awareness among students and parents about the importance of fine arts. Art enhances one's grasping power and level of patience, she said.
 
Earlier, Vanitha G Pai of Ekam Candles, Manipal stuck a 'bindi' to the forehead of a woman depicted on a collage. Vidya Dinkar of Mangalore citizens' forum, Kodibettu Rajalaxmi, journalist among others were present.