Mangalore: `Art insight’, art gallery at IOC fuel outlet inaugurated  
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (RS/SB) 

Mangalore, Sep 2: Art insight, an art gallery at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) outlet of Kadri service station near Shivbagh here was inaugurated on Tuesday, September 1.  

Speaking at the inaugural of the art gallery, K Panduranga Rao, senior divisional retail manager, IOC said that it is an innovative step taken up by the IOC to promote art and artists as part of its community development programmes across the country to mark its golden jubilee year, he said. 

Siraj Ahmed, chairman and managing director of In-land Infrastructure Developments Private Limited said that the trend of encouraging and patronizing art is growing among corporate sectors and commercial establishments. The paintings and art works adorning the walls of these establishments as part of the interior decoration is proof enough for this growing trend, he said.

Chief guest, V U George, editor of Mangalore Today said that art touches everyone breaking language barrier. One needs to have emotions and imagination to appreciate art. The growing number of art galleries and art exhibitions in the city signifies the growing interest in art among the people, he said.

Karunakar M H, director, S S Creations, said that art galleries promote art and artists by creating a sustainable market value. So the initiative by the IOC will prove to be remarkable for the artist community.  

With the involvement of more than 20 popular artists including Jagdish Ammunje, P S Punichinthaya, Ramesh Rao Udupi, Ganesh Somayaji, N S Pathar, Purushotham Adve and Santhosh Andrade among others are behind Art-insight. More than 40 paintings by these artists in various medium are exhibited at the art gallery.