Kala Madhyam Arts Mela (Folk and Tribal) 2008

Venue: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumarakrupa Road, (near The Grand Ashok), Bangalore – 1

Rich Culture and Cultural Heritage has always been the highlight of INDIA. The gamut of the diverse cultural practiced in India has made INDIA rich. India having practiced diverse culture has always stood out from others’.

Folk-mela organised at the Chitrakala Parishath, showcased the perfect blend “ART AND CULTURE”. MELA is a Hindi word meaning, “To Unite”. This was a MELA of ART AND CULTURE. A perfect platform for artisans around India to display and sell their beautiful work of art. It was a celebration to see people from different age groups and around the world were there to get a taste of the rich culture of India. The paintings, sculptures and the photographs displayed at the art gallery spoke of the rich Indian culture. The art work was just splendid.

Lokesh Mosale, wild life photo-expo at Chitrakalaparishath, during this folk-mela with the theme name, “Banada Baduku”[Forest Lifestyle] was exhibited at the art gallery. The Wild Life photographs, displayed the grandeur of bandipur, wildlife. You can visit him at www.lokeshmosale.com. Gowreesh Kapani, made his debut along with Lokesh at this expo, you can visit his gallery at http://saamanya.blogspot.com

Some of the wildlife pics by Lokesh Mosale & Gowreesh Kapani

Prathiksha Apurv, niece and disciple of well-known goad man Osho, a spiritual artist who previously worked as a fashion designer, displayed her collection titled “Spiritual Odyssey”.

Timelessness

 I was allowed to shoot pictures of her work, some of which has been displayed in my blog here. Full of religious imagery, spiritual icons, cryptic signs and abstract symbols she describes her work as an ongoing rendering of her Spiritual Odyssey, a journey she has immersed herself in. Here work with silhouette was awe admiring. Here are some of the pics i shot.

It doesn’t end with the stalls and the gallery. The main event that got all people to their toes, was namma karnataka’s very own, Dollu Kunitha J, this was followed by a dance program by the folk of assam, rajasthan and so on. 

The rajputs of rajasthan displayed their bravery and excellent form of art by dancing on sword, broken glass and balancing on cups. 

Innocence

The puppet show by the rajasthan folk, took the kids through the world of dreams. The warm ambience was heated up by the Flame throw by the rajputs. By the end of the fest, ajja, ajji, uncle, aunty, huduga, hudugi... danced to the tune of well known bollywood song, Nimbooda nimbooda.

It was a total celebration, people were getting their portraits made by an artist who showed great dexterity in drawing them, hair braided, skin tattooed by mahendhi, shopped for handicrafts.

  

Special Features:

•          110 craft stalls: jewellery, terra cotta, paintings, furniture, marble/pottery/wooden/leather/white & black metal/jute/woollen products, kalamkari, joothis, apparel, saris, bags, candles, paper craft, dhurris & carpets, fabric etc.                               
•          Performing artistes from Karnataka, Assam, Rajasthan and international youth cultural groups from the ICCR                                                                                                                     
•          Traditional foods                                                                                                              
•          Live craft demonstrations                                                                                           
•          Hair braiding, mehndi tattoos, face painting, pottery
  

 

 

Objectives Of Kala Madhyam Arts Mela [Info Source: Kala Madhyam]

•           To provide direct market opportunities for rural artisan communities
  
•           To promote cultural tourism in a sensitive manner
  
•           To bring folk life into the public domain 
  
•           To establish vibrant, dynamic and interactive spaces by which traditional art, craft and cultural forms can be revived, appreciated and respected
  
•          To create a forum for the interaction between potential clients: corporate sector, architects/interior design houses, donors, sponsors and the artisans
  
•          To enhance the awareness of artisans in the field of marketing and entrepreneurship
  
•          To encourage 50% participation of rural women crafts persons/groups
  
•          To engage the active and meaningful participation of individuals, corporates and donors in protecting and promoting culture
  

End OF MELA

THANK YOU