KB Kulkarni provides a feast of water colours’

Senior artist KB Kulkarni has presented a solo painting exhibition at the KGLD Arts Gallery at Hoysalanagar, Sunkadakatte in the city. The exhibition which began on 27 February is on till 06 March. KBK, as he is popularly known in close circles will be turning 76 soon. Yet, the advanced age is no bar for continuing his favourite passion, playing with the water colours’.

Landscapes in water colours’ in abundance: Although the exhibition is a conflux of a variety of works including oil paintings, the ones in acrylic and the abstract forms, landscapes in water colours’ seem to outnumber the remaining drawings. Even in the water colours’, the ruins, mountain terrain and the locations having a connection with the great epics dominate.

Paintings on Naku Tanti: However, what perhaps needs to be lauded is his keen interest and enthusiasm in doing a couple of paintings on Naku Tanti, a collection of poems that bagged the coveted Jnana Peeth award to legendary poet Da. Ra. Bendre. He takes pride in recalling the experiences of doing the paintings by discussing the subject with his children and grandchildren for 3-4 days. At the same time, he feels he may not venture into similar such attempts in the near future.

On the advice of RM Hadapad: When pondered about his overdose of love for water colours’, he exclaims: “My drawing teacher late RM Hadapad of the renowned Ken School of Art had told me specifically to concentrate only on watercolours. Perhaps his advice has gone to my head seriously and I not only prefer but love with watercolours”.

A passion worth inculcating: BG Gujjarappa: Veteran artist BG Gujarappa who was one of the chief guests at the inauguration was appreciative of the passion of KB Kulkarni in doing paintings at this age. He opined that there could be reservations on the themes and their selections. But such professional differences cannot be a yardstick to enjoy his zeal of life.

Art Teacher for more than 35 years: KB Kulkarni hails from Bijapur or the present-day Vijayapura. He taught art for more than 35 years at the Government Teachers Training Institute, Nagamangala in Mandya district from 1969 to 2004. He jocularly recalls: “When I went to receive my appointment orders, the person jovially cautioned me that the first posting shall also be the last posting. True to his words, I began my service as well as completed the service in Nagamangala!”

Exhibition at Venkatappa Art Gallery: Though he was working in Nagamangala as a Teacher, his desire to learn drawing from a professional artist made him come to Bengaluru during the weekends. He rejoices in reminiscing: “RM Hadapad Sir used to teach me till 3 AM and thanks to his blessings, I have come a long way in the art field. He shifted to Bengaluru after his retirement and showcased his works at the Venkatappa Art Gallery.

Commitment to art worth inculcating-R Suri: Another veteran artist R Suri who was also another chief guest remarked: “These days there are any number of artists and likewise any number of galleries to display your works. But what makes a paradigm shift in the case of KB Kulkarni, is his commitment to art even at the ripe age which makes him an inspiration to all budding artists”.

More than 1,000 certificates: For having spent most parts of his teaching profession in Nagamangala KB Kulkarni had become part and parcel of the cultural life in that town. He has the unique distinction of holding art workshops, summer camps, painting competitions etc. for both, children and teachers in many a place including Bengaluru, Mysuru and Nagamangala. He also boasts of being in possession of more than 1,000 certificates for displaying his paintings on the Facebook page and online art exhibitions.

Practising art after retirement is a great achievement-Prof Babu Jattakar: “These days by and large once, a person becomes a Drawing teacher he stops drawing but for conducting the classes. Such being the situation, KB Kulkarni, is a fountain of inspiration to all drawing teachers in service and to others who may have retired”, comments Prof Babu Jattakar, Faculty in the Applied Art, College of Fine Arts, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, Bengaluru.

-Manohar Yadavatti

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