15 Cement Sculptures to Enrich Kalaangann Campus

15 Cement Sculptures to Enrich Kalaangann Campus

Mangaluru: In this present era of cement sculpture, it has grown enormously from realistic to abstraction to a contemporary style. Sculptures are of many forms like subject oriented, conventional, expressional, traditionally, contemporarily based and much more. Trendily contemporary style is given more significance because of high expressional value. Every concept comprises artist’s view and thoughts on the subject. Site Specific is one among the concepts which is applied more in sculptures nowadays. Site-specific sculptures are the only sculptures which bring importance of the space from where it emerges and it is installed.

Fifteen days ago twenty artists/sculptors from various parts of the state, under the banner of Karnataka Shilpakala Academy have camped at the Kalaangann campus to create 15 cement made sculptures depicting various Konkani communities and its culture. The art camp is set up under the leadership of camp director, Gouri Shanker BG -art/sculpture director from Kalburgi district, and Dr Vrupaksha Badiger, a senior active member of Karnataka Shilpakala Academy. There are 10 senior artists/sculptors and 10 assistant artists who have finished making 15 sculptures within 15 days – only some finishing touches are pending. Finally, these cement artworks will be given a coating of bronze paint, and then they will be installed permanently near the entrance of Kalaangann (Mandd Sobhann) – Shaktinagar, Mangaluru. These artworks look so beautiful, having an artistic value.

While looking at these sculptures they appear to be so lively and you will go saying, “Wow, what a piece of artistic work?”. The 15 cement artworks which depict various Konkani communities, created by 20 artisans deputed by Karnataka Shilpakala Academy will be inaugurated this Sunday, 7 August 2016 by Ivan D’Souza – Karnataka state Congress chief whip, along with other important dignitaries. Among the 15 sculptures, include Siddi Dance from Uttara Kannada; Daff of Navayithi community of Bhatkal; a Chariot (Ratha) depicting the famous car festival of Gowd Saraswat Brahmins; Goan Mando dance ; Goa’s Zagor Lok Kala ; Gumatta and Baila of the Christian community; Kuddmi community’s Gummatt, a primitive percussion instrument; Thonniyo, a form of stick dance by Kharvi community of Uttara Kannada and others.

Senior artiste Murugesh, aged 43, who has 16 years experience creating cement sculptures, has played an important role in preparing these 15 cement artworks, together with the assistance of Gouri Shanker. Other senior artisans are: Naveen Kumar (Hubbali), K Vinayaka (Shivamogga), Muragesh Hirematta (Dharwad), Parashuram R (Belgaum), Kumar KJ, Madhu H, Rakesh R, Somashekaraya I D ( all from Tumakuru), BS Kumaraswamy (Chitradurga) and Basavaraja Hiregowder (Vijayapura).

The ten Assistant artisans include, Revanna Sidappa (Kalburgi), Hanumantha S (Bidar), Kemparaju KG (Tumakuru), Anandkumar (Davangere), BHL Yelukoti (Chitradurga), Kiran Devarshi, Sandeep Kanchagar ( both from Belagavi), Vivek Hoogar (Davangere), Bharath C (Chitradurga) and Santhosh Vaddar (Haveri). Expressing happiness over the success of the camp, Louis Pinto-President of Mandd Sobhan speaking to Team Mangalorean said, “Looking at these sculptors working day and night I was surprised to see how they create these artworks so perfect and in time. Fifteen cement artworks done in only 15 days by 20 artists is commendable. They all have the talents and experience to make perfect sculptures that impress any viewers. We are happy to have these artists camped at Kalaangann, who gave us these amazing and artistic 15 cement based artworks that will enrich the Kalaangann premises.

Come 7 August, once these sculptures are completely finished with a coating of bronze and installed near the entrance of Kalaangann, they would be an added attraction for the children and the families who visit Kalaangann.