Mangaluru: Kadri Park transformed into a lively canvas of colours, creativity and conversations as Kala Parba, organised as part of Karavali Utsava by the district administration and Sharadhi Prathishtana, brought together artists from different walks of life. Several visitors got their portraits sketches drawn, while children eagerly tried their hands at painting, and artists moved around the venue, observing and understanding each other’s works. The venue offered almost everything, from concept-driven paintings to intricate ballpoint pen art and acrylic, sculpture-making, and it buzzed with artistic energy. Dr Sangeeta CS, a paediatrician from Bengaluru, working in Mangaluru, presented concept-based paintings, each paired with a poem. “Stress fuels my creativity, and every painting I create carries a deep, underlying meaning,” she said, explaining how prolonged contemplation of a theme eventually gives birth to both a painting and a poem. She uses acrylic paint, watercolours and even ballpoint pens. Veteran artist Kurshid Yakub, a housewife-turned-painter with over three decades of experience, displayed impressionistic acrylic paintings inspired largely by nature. She said the response at Kala Parba was encouraging, but there still needs to be a greater public awareness about such art forms.Banker Arun Karanth showcased a series of engaging artworks, many of which were created during his train journeys between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. “I practise one sketch every day,” he said, adding that his weekend train travel from Bengaluru, where is currently working often turns into productive hours of painting and sketching.The exhibition also featured rapid doodle portraits by visual designer Magimaa Pugal. Rahul P Shetty, Vikas GK and Suman added further variety with oil paintings, animated-style artworks and nature-based models. Suman’s coin-sized pili mande (tiger head) model drew particular attention. He claimed it was Kudla’s first-ever coin-size pili mande. Adding a traditional touch, Rajan Madai from Kannur displayed Kerala mural paintings. Each painting, he said, takes nearly one month to complete. Twins Jayashri Sharma, a former lecturer, and Jayaprakash, both self-taught artists, showcased their works in separate stalls. Jayashri, a former microbiology lecturer, said she devoted herself entirely to painting after the lockdown. Her works, rich in cultural motifs, often feature sculptural forms in the background. Adding a generational touch to the display, her son Ankit Sharma, also exhibited his paintings. Her twin brother Jayaprakash, an ayurveda doctor, paints in his spare times. Complementing the paintings were exhibitions of kaavi art, resin art, custom hand-painted sarees, handicrafts and works by art students. Also, students from the Canara Bank-sponsored CE Kamath Institute for Artisans captivated visitors with live demonstrations of wood and stone carving, and metal craft. The venue had about 127 stalls.
