Contemporary Indian Art

Raja Ravi Varma OleoGraph or Oleo LithoGraph Print

2013-12-21T09:53:00.002-08:00

Raja Ravi Varma 1848-1906

What is Oleograph?

As per dictionary Oleograph is also known by ChromoLithoGraph meaning; Color Lithograph produced laboriously by preparing a separate Stone by hand for each single color to be used and printing one color registering over another color. This is so exhaustive that sometimes as many as 30-40 stones were used to get a single finished print.

Original Litho surface

Why were they called as German Prints?

The technique of lithographic printing was one of the greatest German inventions. This revolutionized mass production in Germany, Europe and had a major impact to the movement of Independence in India during 19th until the beginning of 20th century.

Before the entry of this, it was cumbersome and tedious process of hand copying or on woodcuts.

The lure of German lithographs/oleographs depicting Indian subjects was so great that some entrepreneurs imported machinery and also technicians to produce on a mass scale, labelling it as 'Printed in Germany'.

Printing Press imported from Germany

Raja Ravi Varma was one of the most famous of them and set up Ravi Varma Fine Art Lithographic Press at Bombay in 1894 unable to cater to the increasing demand of commissioning of his paintings. This was also known as The FAL Press managed by Raja Ravi Varma and his brother Raja Raja Varma. Financially it was an utter flop and he had to partner initially with the German technician, Fritz Schleicher and employed technician P. Gerhardt to run his press after shifting it to Lonavala. The Karla, Lonavala Press was later renamed to Malavli Press and was in production until 1980s and got engulfed in the fires. Finally it was sold to Fritz Schleicher. Now in recent times, Schleichers grandson Robert Sandu disposed off the complete treasures to the conservator Vijaynath Shenoy, who will make an archival museum at Manipal Heritage Village.

Litho slab

Final Print

The irony of - "it can happen only in India" is explained by an experts
"I know there are trusts in both Germany and Italy that have been working towards the creation of a Ravi Varma Museum. I cannot, however, believe that the Government of India or the Governments of Maharashtra or Kerala (the two states he was connected to, the first by birth and the other by choosing to live there) have not created museums in his memory or restored his collection of art work," says German Art Historian Peter Bertram, a scholar who was involved with research on the artist's works.

Artists Signature is etched on the Litho - Batch number on left with Printing Press on the right

You may be wondering how to differentiate an original oleograph print - for detailed information you may visit Golden Tips

Few prints in excellent condition are available for sale at Abode of Creativity - Online Gallery for Contemporary Indian Art

Decade of ChitraSanthe at CKP

2013-01-29T12:00:00.001-08:00

The crowd at this years Chitra Santhe, 10th year running wild...

The excitement of ChitraSanthe overwhelms our Bangalore crowd to watch different varieties of artworks on a single stretch of road from Shivananda Circle to Windsor Manor bridge.

This year emphasis was given to the size I feel, to get more sanctions from the government.

Management is trying all possible means to keep the artists away and encourage people to showcase crafts, artificial flowers, sarees, etc.,

The day is not far when inner-wear will be sold in the exhibition halls.

Ah ha....sarees did i mention, well there are here to be passed off as artworks.

Each year event curators select and display paintings from established artists, upcoming artists and also graduating students work to showcase in the halls for 3 days.

I found one painting which was total rip-off of Tyeb Mehta which was proudly displayed and will be visited by lakhs of educated folks.

In the chitrasante entry form, it is clearly mentioned that crafts, prints, and other displays are not to be sold and all displayed artworks should be by a single artist. But lo, I found this lady selling calendars and photographs framed for sale, she even objected me photographing her stall so i had to take a long shot....

Saw some beautiful executed artworks with color ball pens by an artist from Belgaum.

One of the fiber glass sculpture which was life size found on the crescent road

An NGO put up some artworks of established artists for sale which were donated for charity.

This artist was found painting with coffee powder mixed with water.

In the midst of these santhe atmosphere, there is one small family who is unmoved by the happenings at the Chitrakala campus, they have come for a picnic on a Sunday and do not wish to be disturbed. What say?

This traveller from Kuravpur seems to have come only to display a set of 4 paintings drawn and painted with watercolor of the avatars of Dattatreya. He did not wish to sell them for a price when asked. You can see notice the glowing smile.

Jai Guru Datta - Shri Guru Datta

Back 2 CKP - 9th Chitra Santhe

2012-01-29T12:52:00.000-08:00

Every year, the last Sunday of January is a much-awaited event for the art enthusiasts to buy artworks from the (Chitra Santhe)Art Bazaar.

College Gate Decked & Screaming ~"Back 2 CKP" Chitra Santhe

Majority of the stalls depicted the same 'unsold artworks' 'same artists; however a few artists had managed to reserve the same spot, I suppose, by lobbying?

Outside Sindhi School, 2 artworks stood out 4 attention, which were pop-up kind of 3D layering used widely in the advertisement posters, which are liked these days and also pushed in the name of 'new media works', artist was from Chennai.

Pop-up Artwork: the man on the face is floating in a 3D illusion

An artist keeps needs to keep himself/herself busy irrespective of space or time since time and skill are the only resources they possess in abundance in this current recession scenario.

Soap Carving artist

I noticed few greetings cards with highly intricate workmanship displayed; each one was unique in style, material, & skill-set but when asked for price she said ~"not for sale". She is a native from Coorg(Kodagu) having just completed her XII from St Aloysius College, Mangalore and wants to pursue NID next.

Mesmerizing "Not 4 Sale" artworks by Donna Partha

On-the-spot portrait sketching counters were very popular among the masses. They could carry their personal images as a momento to their homes for just Rs 100/- in B&W and Rs 250/- for color.

On-the-spot Portrait sketching

Instructions and Rules to Participants

Artists above the age of 18 years are eligible.
The application forms should reach Karnataka Chitra Kala Parishath , “Art Complex”

Kumara Krupa Road, Bangalore – 560001 on or before 1st January 2012.
One day Lodging (Dormitory) and Boarding will be provided by the organizers for outstation participants on prior request.
Please note and observe the timings of the event 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The right to reject the application rests with the Parishath.
We do not take any responsibility for any type of damage or loss to the exhibits during Chitra Santhe.
No storage facilities will be provided.
No exhibits of Reproductions, Digital Prints, Photographs and Craft/Handicrafts will be allowed.
Each stall is allotted exclusively to an artist and subletting is not allowed.
Certificates are issued only to the registered participants.
No Participant is allowed to deal with works of others.
Only Artworks approved by the Scrutiny panel should be exhibited.
If material other than artworks are displayed, CKP will have the right to cancel the allotted stall immediately.

Some prominent Reproduction Displays of popular artists

I was shocked, not to see a single work by the artists manning the stall other than reproductions of Bratin Khan, Suhas Roy, Sunil Das, Ajay De

Any takers for these?

The artists are in a relaxed ambience without a hint of guilt

Flaunting of works similar to the style of Prokash Karmakar in abundance

Reproductions of Prokash Karmakar from Kolkata

Among the south, Chennai artists have adopted to reproduce senior artists and have fared badly in quality.

Reproductions of Raman G from Chennai by Sugumar C

Points to Ponder? Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath has become a favorite hub among the elite ladies after the regimen of Nanjund Rao & Chowtha, since the number of exhibition catering to Silk Sarees, Garments, Artificial Flowers, Antiquities & Curios are given more prominence than Art shows. Artists are rebuked. asked to compromise on halls, timings, and I personally have seen Chief Administrator, Rudrappa addressing artists arrogantly and canceling prebooked dates of exhibition giving priority to ongoing Saree mela.

The following image Fashion articles sold right in front of Hotel Lalit Ashok, despite repeated blaring on the mikes not to sell things unrelated to art! ...

Fashion stuffs?

Stories Found on Wooden Temple Chariots

2011-11-28T11:24:00.000-08:00

South Indian Temple boasts of having one or more carved chariots, either in wood or silver to take the deity during annual festivals on to the streets among the famous temples.

Silver Chariot - V.V.Puram, Bangalore

Carvings of musicians, sages and animals from mythology were chosen for display

Dasavatara and Astalakshmi were widely used among few chariots

Each chariot convey a different story to the viewers

Carving of Parrot with human body from puranas

There are intricate carvings on them of gods and goddess and sometimes of animals.

On a visit to Dharmastala last week, I saw among the exhibits one wooden chariot with exemplary carvings of Kamasutra on them and was dumfounded. Hope you will all enjoy them!

Erotic postures

Intricate carvings

Complicated Group acts

Erotic postures

Practice of oral sex acts

Sex with multiple partners

Descriptive lessons involved in group sex

Logs of wood are of different thickness

Highly skilled craftsman have worked on these sculptures

Different themes on different layers were formed

Full nude damsels

Musicians and positions of various Kamasutra

Yaksha's were also frequently used along with the deities

Dastkar 2011 - Through the Eyes of an Artist

2011-08-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dastkar - Exhibition of handcrafted items from different places of our exotic India, on till 14th August, from 11.00 am - 8.30 pm Gayatri Vihar, Palace Grounds

Om Ganapathaye Namaha!

Hanuman was too striking to the eyes with sharp intricate detailing such as the nails on the toes

Close-up View

The size of this standing Hanuman was not more than one and half feet

Price quoted Rs 35,000/-

Garuda - SOLD

Intricate carvings on Marble with high precision sharp features despite the fact that marble, being the hardest surface to sculpt.

Handloom from Italy

Size of kids study table

Hangings

Thematic collages on kites

The Making Of A Temple - Jagannath Temple at Hyderabad

2010-02-19T09:04:00.000-08:00

On my visit to Hyderabad in October 2007, I ended earlier than my scheduled time to meet Great Senior Artist Laxma Goud, I strolled to the nearby Kalinga Cultural Trust compound with my camera to shoot at the various stages of what goes on before a temple is being constructed

Around 600 tonnes of sand stones, brought from Khorda in Orissa, will be used for 'Shikhara' (tower)

More than 60 expert sculpture carvers of stone and cement were on the job from Orissa

Special sand stone blocks have been brought from Orissa for the artists to carve the idols of gods and goddesses for this temple

According to the artist, it would require them at least a week to carve out a single idol

These sculptures will be adorning the walls of the temple similar to the Jagannath temple from Puri

These sand stone blocks have also been brought from Orissa

The idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra & Subhadra, made of margosa (Neem) wood, would be specially brought from Orissa

The main temple being dedicated to the Jagannath and the other five smaller shrines would be of Ganesh, Hanuman, Navagraha, Shiva & Bhimala (Parvati)

Majority of the work were done by the carvers here in this location from the scratch to the finish

This is Varaha Avatara of Vishnu

The highlight of the temple is likely to be its 'shikhara' (temple tower), standing at an imposing 72 feet tall

Temple work commenced way back in 2006, the whole area is about 3000 square yards.

The author of the blog with the onlooking 'mestris' of the temple.

The door work is by the use of sand stone and the walls by the bricks and cement.

The ceiling looks this way when looked from bottom directly.

The roofs are done intricately with different motifs carved by the cement artists.

The shape and design is similar to the original Puri style of temple architecture.

The white building on the right is the Tilangana Bhavan

Lot of construction was going on simultaneously to the carving on the other side of the complex.

Some blogs have covered extensively on more details of this temple, please go through them for your interest - Link

The completed temple was inaugurated on the 18th of March 2009

Note: The last 2 new images are not mine but sourced from the net, hope the owners would kindly oblige

7th Chitra Santhe - Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

2010-01-31T07:54:00.000-08:00

The entrance to the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath was decked with a large mask and huge paintings on the pillars on either sides of the entry gate.

Traditional motifs filled the walls on the exteriors of the Chitrakala Parishath Admin Complex.

During the inauguration of the event time, there was performing art by state folk group.

Despite assurance from the Admin staff from the committee that hobbyists would be barred from participating in this event, I could locate an engineer by profession displaying his watercolors as part of the stall.

One of the widely missed individual "Michael Jackson" in one of the stalls for sale.

'Bottle Art' - bottles of all shapes and sizes were painted with beautiful old masters and their creations.

Scenes, Buddhas, and Ganeshas dominated majority of the stalls as usual.

Natural wood formations in different forms and semi-abstract forms made good curios.

During the closing time, a lot of people striked a deal to buy their dream artworks for a song.

Flying Colours - Kite Flying Festival

2010-01-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

Kite lovers filled the palace ground on the Republic Day to watch the flying colors, young and the old alike enjoyed the sky being lit up with various designs of innovative kites.

Chamber International (JCI) organised this event with kites over 300 shapes and designs.

This is called Ring Kite and was about 50-feet-high

The kite festival on Republic Day at Palace Grounds saw thousands of kite patrons from across the city

Kite clubs from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Mangalore & Hyderabad participated in this event.

The Mangalore Team flew the largest kite in the shape of a Kathakali Dancer’s Face with the aid of 3 assistants.

Aircraft designs dominated few stalls

Bangalore Police Commissioner Mr Shankar Bidari was the CG

Scenic Bengaluru by the grace of BBMP

2009-12-21T10:32:00.000-08:00

Bangalore's street walls used to be the dirtiest of the lot with the film posters and non-filmy political graffiti causing eye sore and visual pollution.

Thanks to the move by the BBMP; Bangalore is on a beautifying spree by the replacement of all movie posters, under the guidance of BBMP Commissioner, Bharat Lal Meena.

Majority of the scenes depict scenes from our epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, sculptures and famous tourist destinations.

Few playgrounds are surrounded by the paintings of sport stars and sporting events.

Some of these paintings on the either side of the under bridges are so visually appealing that we tend to get distracted while driving past them.

A Government School compound after the beautification drive in Malleswaram.

First, the walls are painted with white background color to act as a base for the different colors to stay on them.

Light markings are done of the images with the use of charcoal by the artist before starting his depiction of scene.

If the wall is uneven, plastering is done and then painted with the white background color.

Small-time painters were given orders by the contractors to beautify the walls in each area.

Since enamel paint takes long time to dry, the whole process takes time for the completion of the wall painting, but the whole exercise is worth the wait.

Familiar Ajanta Elora figures take much space among the walls around the Bangalore City.

Flat colors being used after the charcoal markings.

After the thorough drying of these background colors, the paintings now concentrate on the finer aspects of detailing stage by stage.

A painter is allotted space for each painting and paid Rs 15/- per square feet after completion of the demarcated wall.

Huge spending has occurred for these beautification drive, I wish the BBMP could spare part of the funds for the betterment of the road condition in reducing the plight of the road users and the trauma of the back by the riders!!!

Annual Chitra Santhe 2009

2009-02-27T18:17:00.000-08:00

Chitra Sante is an 'Art Market' in Kannada and an annual event organized by Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath ever since 2003. Artists from all over India showcase their art works only for a day on the streets of this road-cum-gallery each year.

There were a total of nearly more than 1500 stalls, from budding students, homemakers, craftsman, artists, professionals turned artists and also professional artists in all age groups.

This year 2009, the gate of ChitraKalaParishad (CKP) was beautifully decorated as usual in the mood of Chitra Santhe, meaning 'market of the art.'

Lot of artists came from the belts of Bidar, Gulbarga, Hubli, Dharwad, Udupi etc.,

I found this artist master his art of creations using his nails on to the paper surface to give an etched look to it. The finish of the latter is for you to see below, 2 of his artworks.........

Apart from the usual bundle of paintings, this time lot of stalls featured photographs as 'art' and they were selling as well, few of them as low as Rs 100/- to Rs 1500/- each.

This student from abroad who studies in Chitrakala Parishat in her second year had good set of paintings and was exhibiting for the first time and was overjoyed of being here in the sale.

Portrait and cartoonists were found making merry on this wonderful day, here you find one lady Chetana B M getting her cartoon done. She visits this mela every year to look at the various choises.......

This 'sand art' was astounding to see. Fine powder of sand was stuck to the surface of a board in various forms to give an extraordinary effect to the texture of this artwork.

Ilyas Ahmed's scraptures were awestuck and were favorites with the children and the adults alike.

Video art was shown in this hall for the first time made by leading contemporary artists from India and were lapped up by the audiance.

It was in bad taste to see some of the artists here to reproduce few senior artists works in totality - one example was the dancers by the original artist Subrato Gangopadhyay from Kolkata.

It was nice to see this miniature set of wood blocks of size 1.5"x2.5" of leading Art Masters done with acrylics by an artist and were quoted at Rs 100/- each.

Vyashya (Prostitute) solo exhibition by Pintu Paul

2008-10-17T06:12:00.001-07:00

Pintu Paul is inspired by old Bengal art and tradition.

Through this exhibition, he portrays the lifestyle of prostitutes.

This includes their body structure, behavior, jewelery and the environment they live in.

Paul creates art from his personal point of view. His form and style is Indian and his work figurative and traditional.

His imagery has mostly been based on what he observes and thinks.

Paul’s works have been exhibited all over India and abroad.

G Reghu

2008-03-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

G. Reghu's Ceremic show is on at the Time & Space Gallery, which I found very amusing...

Heads

Mother & Child

Various sizes of heads, each head is an individual sculpture ...
This is a typical family of 4 - garden sculpture

Set of 8 tall sculptures given a touch-up by the artist

G. Reghu's Ceremic show is on at the Time & Space Gallery, which I found very amusing...

Heads

Mother & Child

Various sizes of heads, each head is an individual sculpture ...
This is a typical family of 4 - garden sculpture

Set of 8 tall sculptures given a touch-up by the artist

This is one of my favorite set of garden sculptures (2 men and 16 cattle)

Click Here for more details about the artist:

This is one of my favorite set of garden sculptures (2 men and 16 cattle)

An alumnus of the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, where he completed BFA (Sculpture), G. Reghu further honed his skills at Roopankar, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, in the late 1980s. Over the last 18 years, the Killimanoor-born sculptor has featured in several solo and group shows at Mumbai, Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore. His works have also been exhibited in Kassel, Germany (1991, 1992) and at the International Biennale, Cairo, Egypt (2000).

Click Here for more details about the artist: