Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (Kannada: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲಾ ಪರಿಷತ್) is a visual art complex located in Bangalore. The complex has 18 galleries. 13 of these galleries carry a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures and folk art. The other galleries are rented out for exhibitions of works by artists of repute. The folk art collection showcases Mysore paintings and leather puppets. The Parishat runs the College of Fine Arts, a visual arts college. Each January, the Parishath organizes Chitra Santhe, a cultural event showcasing affordable art to the public. The motto of the event is "Art for All".

History

The Parishath started off on a two-and-a-half acres of land leased by the Government of Karnataka, with initial donations from H. K. Kejriwal, an industrialist. Svetoslav Roerich donated several of his paintings and those of his father Nicholas Roerich to the Parishath. In 1964, Nanjunda Rao's Chitrakala Vidyalaya was added to the Parishath. In 1966, it obtained recognition as an art-centre by the state and national Lalit Kala Akademi. The Parishath pioneered a survey of the Karnataka state's art treasures such as the famous Mysore paintings. In time, the Parishath added galleries and a graphic studio, making it into a full-fledged art complex. In 1995, Kejriwal donated his family's art collection, which was displayed in spacious galleries in the Parishath. In 1998-99, a sculpture gallery was added to the Parishath complex. An open-air theatre to cater to the needs of the visual and performing artists is also present. In 2003, two more large galleries for international and folk art were inaugurated.

Chitra Santhe

Since 2004, Chitra Santhe, the renowned art market festival is organized annually on the final Sunday of January, is Bangalore's annual art festival. During the festival, the entire stretch of road from Shivananda Circle to Windsor Manor Hotel is converted into an open art gallery. The exhibition and sale of artworks are open to visitors from 8 am to 8 pm.

In 2025, around 1,500 artists from 20 states displayed and sold their works at the festival, that was estimated to have witnessed a footfall of 5 lakh.

Publications

The Parishath regularly publishes books on art and culture. Notable among these are:

• Mysore chitramālā : traditional paintings
• Humanism in art
• Gaṇapatīya rūpagaḷu and Gaṇapati : 32 drawings from a 19th cent. scroll
• Y. Subramanya Raju centenary celebration : [catalogue of paintings on occasion of Sri Y. Subramanya Raju centenary celebration]

External links

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