Saluting artists of yore

Following article was written by Ambika Nagaraj which got published on 25 December 2009 Times Of India, Mysore Edition.

Though we often get to hear people speak of the creative works of dexterous artists from the past, it is seldom that we get to see their inventive creations. But here's a rare chance for Mysoreans to see some of the best of artworks by the bygone Mysore-based artists, who lived between 1840 and 2009. With some of the best of collections by the deft artists on display, this 10-day expo sure seems a delight to the connoisseurs of fine arts.

Organized by Ramsons Kala Pratisthana in association with INTACH, Mysore chapter at the Pratisthana's Pratima Gallery in the city is Mysore Masters - an exhibition of paintings by the bygone artistes of Mysore. The expo that showcases over 140 rare and enticing artworks has put on display the works of over 56 artists, as a tribute to them for having augmented the cultural scene of the city through their skills.

This expo has been organized as part of an event called Amruta Kala Uthsava 2009-10," says Kala Pratisthana designer Raghu, "on account of which we plan to host a variety of art-related shows and workshops throughout this year. This is the first event that has been organized as part of the year-long uthsava. "We decided upon hosting this as a tribute to the great artists who lived in our city."

Some of the artists whose works are on display at the expo are: Iyengar S R, Tankasale S G, Javagal Narasimhaiah, K S Siddhalingaswamy, Keshavayya K, Raghuttama Putty, Lalitha R Putty, Mukta Venkatesh, Murthy PVK, Soofi F M and Sreeroopa S Madhav.

The exhibition includes paintings, pencil sketches, drawings, modern art, threat works, paper arts and line drawings and paintings of a variety of forms such as Mysore style, oil paintings, water colours and oil on photographs.

The exhibition will be on between 10.30 am and 7 pm daily and concludes on January 3.