Bengaluru: Nagananda Virupakshappa Pattar, hailing from Hutti Gold Mines in Raichuru district, aspired to become a photographer and developed a fondness for woodcraft, in addition to practising painting. However, he had to limit those passions, as he joined the Hutti Gold Mines as a Draughtsman on his father's advice.
Joined in 1982 and retired in 2020: Nagananda Pattar joined the duties at the Hutti Gold Mines in 1982 and retired on 01 November 2020. He started his career in the prestigious state-owned public sector as a Draughtsman in the Survey Department and was heading his Department at the time of his retirement. 10 staff members were assisting him at the fag end of his tenure, and he asserts, "With everyone's good cooperation, I could complete my service successfully".
Hutti Gold Mines has a hundred-year future! Nagananda Pattar, as mentioned earlier, worked in the underground survey department, starting around the 1980s and continuing until his superannuation. He opines, "The mine has been operating continuously since then. It is expected to continue for many more years—possibly even for up to a hundred years. Currently, mining has reached depths of about one kilometre, and there are plans to go as deep as three kilometres".
5,000 employees working: Nagananda Pattar informs, "Scientists have already surveyed the area earlier. There are now about 5,000 employees working there. Our work in the survey department was to identify the locations of gold veins and how they could be extracted. Based on the surveys conducted by senior officers, we prepared drawings and reports. We also documented estimates such as the grade of gold and how much gold could be obtained per ton of ore, etc".
Shifted to Bengaluru, post retirement: Following his retirement, Nagananda Pattar moved to Bengaluru since both his children were here, and he also settled here. Alongside, he also continued with his hobbies like woodcraft, photography, and painting. He regularly does woodcraft work such as small gift items, photo frames, and other handcrafted items. If someone gives him an order, he also makes items on specified requests.
Mobile stands, cradles of baby Krishna...Nagananda Pattar, over a period of time and with continuous practice, developed an expertise of maken wooden artefacts. In woodcraft, he makes mobile stands, cradles of baby Krishna (Gokulasthami Krishna cradle), table lamps, photo frames, pot stands, and even larger items. Earlier, he used to take up bigger projects with others, but now he mostly does smaller works on his own. Most of the time, his woodcraft items are made of teak wood.
Managed a studio for decades: To quench his thirst for becoming a professional photographer, Nagananda Pattar had his own studio. He started it around 1982 and ran it until about 2005. Later, as his younger siblings focused on their education, he was compelled to close the studio and continued photography as a hobby. He is still in possession of several cameras.
Son also in the footsteps of father: Now, Nagananda Pattar's son is also continuing in photography and is also making short films apart from scripting short stories. Not only that, but he is also trying to move forward as a director.
More into commercial art: As far as painting is concerned, Nagananda Patta was more into commercial art, like doing signboards, decorating paintings for houses, artwork for weddings, and events. He expresses gratitude to his late father for being the motivational force behind all his hobbies
Skillsets continue as a family tradition: "I learned all these skills from my father, who was also skilled in wood crafts, painting, and photography. He was doing photography as early as the 1960s. So for us, all these skills have come down like a family tradition". However, he hasn't thought of doing an exhibition to showcase his woodcraft, paintings and photographs.
-Manohar Yadavatti
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