Thejaswi U Poojary

Pics: Jeevan D'Costa/Santhosh Alevoor

Udupi, Aug 27: As the festive season unfolds, Udupi is all set for grand celebrations. The district comes alive with the unique folk dance of coastal Karnataka, ‘Pili Vesha’ (tiger dance), and vibrant tableaus.

While everyone enjoys these art forms and tableaus, few know the people behind these captivating creations. Ajay Kurkalu is one of those who work tirelessly to preserve these traditional art forms.

Coming from a family of artists, Ajay Kurkalu is the second of three children. He was working in a supermarket when his friends suggested he join the Mahalasa School of Art in Mangaluru. There, he trained in artistry for about seven years, later working for three years at Kendriya Vidyalaya and for seven years at a private school as a drawing teacher. His passion for art developed at a very young age, influenced by his family's artistic background.

Due to financial instability, Ajay started his own business with 10 friends, calling it ‘Smart Art’. The business grew, and now, with a team of 30, it has been renamed ‘Team Smart Art’. Their first project, ‘Garvada Pili’, brought the team recognition and success. Known for their creativity and unique style, the team has since developed new tableaus like ‘Garvada Cheetah’ and ‘Black Cheetah’.

The team has performed over 200 shows across the state and is in high demand outside Karnataka, receiving requests from Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, and within the state from Mysuru, Bengaluru, Kumta, and Honnavar.

Ajay, who is deeply connected to nature, creates art concepts related to wildlife and the environment. One of his realistic monkey concepts received widespread public acclaim.

In Udupi, Ravi Katapadi is well-known for dressing up as various film characters to raise funds for poor children's medical treatment. The artist behind all of Ravi's characters is Ajay Kurkalu. Ajay brings Ravi's character ideas to life, with the team working for over a week to perfect each portrayal.

In addition to his artistic pursuits, Ajay dedicates his free time to teaching children drawing and clay art, ensuring the continuity of these traditional forms. His efforts focus on preserving and evolving art forms with a strong emphasis on environmental themes.

Jayakar Kundar, a team member and auto driver, praised Ajay’s creativity and dedication, saying, “Ajay started Smart Art long ago and worked behind the scenes to achieve success. He showcased his creativity by painting Ravi Katapady and even took him close to Big B, Amitabh Bachchan. Ajay always brings new concepts to save the art form, with his main aim being to protect nature. His monkey character has gained significant fame. I wish him more success in the future.”

Nikhil, another Smart Art team member, said, “Every year, Ajay comes up with new concepts. The tableau created by the team, ‘Garvada Pili’, has brought us fame, and we are now known as the Garvada Pili team. All team members work hard on our projects and contribute ideas for their execution. We face challenges when transporting these tableaus for out-of-state orders.”

As Udupi celebrates its festive season, the artistry of Ajay Kurkalu and Team Smart Art continues to inspire and captivate audiences, ensuring that traditional art forms remain vibrant and relevant.

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