Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Nov 18: Renowned artist Peter A Lewis has been honoured with the Varnashilpi Venkatappa award by the state Kannada and culture department. The award was presented by chief minister Siddaramaiah in a ceremony held on November 15.
Apart from Peter Lewis, achievers from various other fields were also conferred different awards in recognition of their achievements and excellence in their respective fields.
Born to Anthony and Brigette Lewis in Tonse in Udupi, Peter Lewis has for more than half a century mesmerised connoiseurs with his array of artworks. He runs his own gallery 'Chitralaya' in Brahmavar. His brushwork captures the essence of the familiar, while subtle inner vision enables viewers to perceive his paintings with individual meaning. Insights into tribal life have been a stimulus for aspects of Lewis' creative impulse. His main skills are oil paintings on canvas, tapestry weaving and textile designing. He has displayed his works at a number of art exhibitions across the India and also in the USA. For his immense contribution to art, Lewis was honoured with the Rajotsava Award and State Lalith Kala Award in 1992. In the year 2001, he was honoured by all India Fine Arts and Crafts Society for his service to art at New Delhi.
Addressing the ceremony, Siddaramaiah exhorted the youngsters to draw inspiration from achievers in different fields and make all out efforts to achieve great things in life.
The chief miniser also said that great achievements find permanent place in pages of history. He felt that identifying the achievements and honouring them results in the government recognizing itself. "The achievers' lives are fit to be emulated by youngsters. During the last year, the government yielded to recommendations for Rajyotsava awards, as a result of which many deserving candidates lost out. Therefore, a selection committee was formed this time to choose eligible candidates for these awards. We have chosen the most eligible persons this time without bowing to any sort of pressure. We have set an example for others to follow in future," he claimed.
He said that the government is committed to provide all kinds of help for projects which result in flouriishing of Karnataka, its language, art, literature, and culture. He said that he will not compromise on issues concerning these subjects.
Nemichandra, who was chosen for Dana Chintamani Attimabbe Award, speaking on the occasion, noted that mutual hatred and discontentment are prevalent in the whole world now and there is a need to bridge the gaps between countries. She expressed the apprehension that in the coming days, swords will blunt the pens. She wished that the pen will be able to drive away the dark clouds of ignorance, adding that Karnataka can march forward if it becomes hub of science.
Minister for Kannada and culture, Umashree, Bengaluru district in-charge minister, K J George, Kannada and culture department secretary, S R Umashankar, and director, K A Dayaand, were present.
Apart from Peter Lewis from Udupi, the following achievers were also conferred different awards in their respective fields of expertise:
Suresh Talwalkar, Pune (T Chowdaiah Award), M Shakuntala Bengaluru (Shantala Natya Award), R Paramashivan Bengaluru (Dr Gubbi Veeranna Award), Dr N Rathna Mysuru (B V Karanth Award), Sattura Imamsab Davanagere (Jnanapada Siri Award), N Pushpamala Bengaluru (Jakanachari Award), Nemichandra (Dana Chintamani Attimabbe Award), Jambanna Amarachinta Raichur (Sangolli Rayanna Award), M S Sindhura Bagalkot (Prof K G Kundanagara Gadinada Sahitya Award), Belakawadi Rangaswamy Aiyangar Bengaluru (Nijaguna Purandara Award), Ratnamala Prakash Bengaluru (Santa Shishunala Sharif Award), and Kamalamma Vittalrao Bengaluru (Kumaraswamya Award).