logo
Art and the Man: In memory of K Venkatappa

Art and the Man: In memory of K Venkatappa

Hindustan Times17-06-2025
On Kasturba Road, abutting Cubbon Park, is a set of three adjacent buildings that feature in every 'Things To Do In Bengaluru' list. The first, if you are heading down from Queens Road, is a nondescript rectangular structure, with an actual Marut – the first Indian-developed jet fighter, conceived and manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the 1960s – in its front lawn, which houses the exciting, interactive Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM). The second, whose name and purpose elude many Bangaloreans, is the magnificent neoclassical structure designed by Col Richard Sankey in 1877 and painted an eye-catching Pompeiian red (psst, that is the Government Museum, which contains many priceless historical artefacts, and is currently under renovation).
The third, a plain modernist building set back from the road and originally designed to stand in the middle of an artificial island, is the Venkatappa Art Gallery (VAG), established in 1975 primarily to house the works of one of the most celebrated artists of the erstwhile Mysore state. Many Bangaloreans believe that the red building is in fact the VAG, but that kind of mix-up is less likely to happen going forward; last week, as part of its golden jubilee celebrations, a swank, state-of-the-art VAG, renovated by the Brigade Foundation, reopened to the public in the same location.
His artistic talent – he came from a long lineage of Chitrakaras, court painters patronised by the Mysore kings – was spotted early, by the Maharaja of Mysore, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who urged the lad to hone his skills at the Government School of Art in Calcutta. Arriving in Calcutta at 23, Venkatappa spent the next seven years studying under Tagore, alongside peers like Nandalal Bose, the pioneer of modern Indian art, and Asit Kumar Haldar, one of the major artists of the Bengal Renaissance.
Like other artists of his generation who grew up in the ferment of nationalism, Venkatappa strove to create a new paradigm of art that was resolutely 'Indian'. But his reluctance to align himself with any artistic school, his rejection of important commissions that did not, in his estimation, compensate him adequately, or interfered with his artistic style (he preferred working in watercolours, when oils, inspired by Raja Ravi Varma, were all the rage in Mysore), and his habit of frequently neglecting his art for his music saw him produce far less work than his contemporaries. He may have faded into obscurity were it not for the Irish poet and theosophist James Cousins (famously responsible for nudging Kannada poet laureate Kuvempu into writing in his mother tongue after the latter solicited Cousins' feedback on his collection of poems in English), who, taken by Venkatappa's talent, recommended him to Nalvadi's brother, the Yuvaraja, in 1924.
A royal commission followed soon after – a series of bas reliefs for the Mysore Palace, with a studio in the palace thrown in as a bonus. Venkatappa accepted, but he was by then so deep into his 'Ooty watercolours' phase (during which he produced some of his finest work) that delivery of the reliefs was inordinately delayed. With the death of Nalvadi in 1940, Venkatappa lost his most loyal patron. The new king, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, summarily dismissed the artist and evicted him from the palace. Furious, Venkatappa sued the Palace, but in vain. He produced no more new work until his death in 1965.
That the state government should have, despite everything, set up a gallery for his work 50 years ago, is clearly a testament to K Venkatappa's relevance and impact as an artist. But go visit the VAG, and judge for yourself!
(Roopa Pai is a writer who has carried on a longtime love affair with her hometown Bengaluru)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

These Indians own homes in Dubai's Burj Khalifa, here's how much it costs to live in the world's tallest building
These Indians own homes in Dubai's Burj Khalifa, here's how much it costs to live in the world's tallest building

India.com

time15 minutes ago

  • India.com

These Indians own homes in Dubai's Burj Khalifa, here's how much it costs to live in the world's tallest building

These Indians own homes in Dubai's Burj Khalifa, here's how much it costs to live in the world's tallest building When people think of Dubai, the first image that often comes to mind is the towering Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. This architectural wonder is not only a tourist hotspot, but it is also home to some of the most luxurious residences on the planet. What might surprise many is that several Indians own apartments inside this iconic skyscraper. From successful entrepreneurs to well-known film stars, a few prominent Indian names have secured their own slice of the Dubai skyline. Among them are businessman George V Nereamparambil, renowned actor Mohanlal, and Shilpa Shetty. Shilpa Shetty's sky-high gift Shilpa Shetty, known for her roles in Hindi cinema and her presence in the wellness industry, owns a stunning apartment in the Burj Khalifa. But this is not just any real estate purchase, it was a gift from her husband, Raj Kundra on their wedding anniversary. Her luxury residence is located on the 19th floor of the skyscraper and is estimated to be worth over Rs. 50 crore (more than USD USD 6 million USD). The apartment offers breathtaking views of Dubai's skyline and is part of one of the most prestigious addresses in the world. Living in the Burj Khalifa isn't just about luxury, it is a lifestyle that comes with world-class amenities, 24/7 concierge services, and the pride of calling the tallest building on Earth your home. Mohanlal's high-rise haven Veteran South Indian actor Mohanlal owns a chic one-bedroom apartment on the 29th floor of the Burj Khalifa. Spread across 940 square feet, the apartment offers sweeping views of the Dubai Fountain and the glittering cityscape below. The property is estimated to be worth around Rs. 3.5 crore and is registered under his wife, Suchitra Mohanlal. George V Nereaparambil: The 'King of Burj Khalifa' Kerala-based businessman George V Nereaparambil has taken his love for Dubai real estate to a whole new level. He owns a staggering 22 apartments in the Burj Khalifa, making him the largest private owner within the tower. His massive presence in the building has earned him the unofficial title of 'The King of Burj Khalifa.' How much does it cost to live in Burj Khalifa? Owning a piece of the Burj Khalifa comes at a premium cost. A modest 1-bedroom apartment in the tower starts at around Rs. 7 crore. If you're eyeing something bigger, a 2-bedroom unit will cost a minimum of Rs. 10.8 crore, with prices soaring to Rs. 20–22 crore or even higher depending on the size, floor level, and view. Some ultra-luxurious properties in the tower command even steeper prices.

Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie review: Pawan Kalyan's epic is a long, loud misfire
Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie review: Pawan Kalyan's epic is a long, loud misfire

Indian Express

time15 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie review: Pawan Kalyan's epic is a long, loud misfire

Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie review: If not for its outrageously didactic take on concepts of history and Dharma, Hari Hara Veera Mallu had all the makings of an exciting comic book-style folk hero story for our times. Veera Mallu is a famed (and fictionalised) Robin Hood-like figure from 17th-century India, tasked with stealing the Koh-i-Noor from Mughal overlord Aurangzeb's throne in Delhi. Having been originally mined by exploited labourers in the Kolluru region of present-day Andhra Pradesh, the regal diamond found 'home' at the Sultanate of Golconda before it was snatched away to the Red Fort. But Aurangzeb's reputation as the most ruthless, blood-thirsty ruler of the land precedes him at this point, and recovering the stone back to the Deccan is beyond impossible – except for Veera Mallu, the only man capable of throwing himself into the jaws of danger and getting the job done. On paper, Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a heist adventure that traces a crucial and controversial period of Indian history. In the spirit of Telugu cinema's trademark swashbuckler sagas, the Pawan Kalyan-led film pits a prince of the streets against a dreadful dictator to set up a delectable clash that also takes in several other aspects of the time, including the colonial hegemony, the growing social hierarchy, religious persecutions, cultural invasions, and so much more. Yet, the much-awaited endeavour arrives in theatres after a long delay reeking only of laziness and juvenility. This is a film in which every element, from start to finish, is soaked in artifice and is completely devoid of the agency or emotional intelligence that one might even find in a regular school play. If the completely lacklustre visual effects are one issue, the narrative that piles on one exaggerated moment after another in the name of intensity makes the whopping 163-minute runtime feel almost punishing. Even for an actor of the stature of Pawan Kalyan, who once enthralled masses simply with his onscreen charisma, the task of carrying such a lifeless film becomes too much to deliver, and it doesn't help either that he is sleepwalking through his largely mechanical performance. In fact, the dissonance about Hari Hara Veera Mallu is apparent right from the opening credits, which thank filmmaker Krish Jagarlamudi and his team for being the 'foundation and pillar' of the project. It is no secret that Krish Jagarlamudi (credited as the screenwriter) originally conceived the mega project and even directed a good chunk of it before making way for AM Jyothi Krishna (son of film's producer AM Rathnam), who completed the first installment following numerous hurdles. How, why and when the latter took over isn't exactly clear, but one could find the final output being severely compromised by the presence of two dissimilar 'creative' visions. The opening scene, for instance, portrays marginalised labourers subjected to cruel exploitation by upper-caste men. Its visceral treatment sets the tone well, and suggests that as much as the battle is against Aurangzeb's most extreme tyranny, the story also rallies for the poor and the marginalised of all faiths. But the film quickly loses focus and starts to spiral into a kind of misplaced propaganda that never attempts to find any sense of purpose: vapid scenes about the powers and purity of one faith are continually juxtaposed with those portraying the alleged demonic attributes of another, and Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 runs amok knowing that it is stereotyping and subtly vilifying a particular community. Yes, to its credit, it also points out that several innocent Muslims too fell prey to barbarism of the era and that both Hindus and Muslims eventually found themselves on the same side, but the case-at-large it makes is far too blunt and lacking in nuance to be taken seriously. That said, the problem lies not just in the film's gaze, but more so in the uninspired visual realisation of the story. Despite the services of seasoned cinematographers Gnana Shekar VS (Krish Jagarlamudi's long-time collaborator) and Manoj Paramahamsa, the visual palette only makes a fleeting impression while the production design mostly resembles a theme-park version of history. AM Jyothi Krishna's aesthetic lacks the paramount world-building skills, and his staging never really suggests that a plausible, though hyperbolic, story is unfolding in front of us. Even the staging is soulless, which in turn causes the acting performances of the ensemble cast, including many noteworthy names like Sathyaraj, Nasser, Sachin Khedekar, the late Kota Srinivasa Rao, Sunil, and others, to feel campy. Bobby Deol is succinctly made to play the Mughal ruler with the same one-dimensional vitriol as in Animal (2023), whereas Nidhi Agerwal struggles with a poorly written role. MM Keeravani, then, is made to overcompensate as Hari Hari Veera Mallu grows restless in trying to appease its audience. While the ace composer infuses some personality into the score, the bland narrative never really allows us to grasp the soundscape, let alone appreciate it. The underwhelmingly designed action sequences and the appalling visual effects do not help, regardless, and the film blandly trudges on from one scene to another as a result. Also Read | Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie release LIVE Updates Does that mean that nothing is redeeming about this? Well, the word potential crops up once again, and there is no doubt that Hari Hara Veera Mallu is a grossly misinterpreted and misguided project from the creators themselves. At one point, I fancied the idea of seeing the story in the form of a series of comics or a lighthearted yet slick animation film that chronicles the escapades of a fictional folk hero – mainly because the subject carries enough fascination in terms of the history it tackles and the fun alternatives it recommends to a generation that now has lost all historical perspective. Or, it could have been a courageous experiment like Lijo Jose Pelissery's Malaikottai Vaaliban (2024), which employs fiction chiefly to embellish and enhance lesser-known history. Instead, the film busies itself as an agenda vehicle that doesn't value one's time, effort or money. Although it positions itself as a 'seeker of uncomfortable truths', it doesn't equip itself with the right kind of intent or artistry to deliver the experience that many sought from it. For the fans of Pawan Kalyan, his return to the fore will feel more obligatory than whole-hearted, and the actor himself would ideally wish to correct the wrong and see himself back in his old glory. For now, all one could do is let out a long, weary sigh and move on. Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie director: Krish Jagarlamudi, AM Jyothi Krishna Hari Hara Veera Mallu movie cast: Pawan Kalyan, Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, Nora Fatehi, Sathyaraj Hari Hara Veera Mallu move rating: 1.5 stars

Bigg Boss 19 Theme To Revolve Around AI? Here's What We Know
Bigg Boss 19 Theme To Revolve Around AI? Here's What We Know

News18

time26 minutes ago

  • News18

Bigg Boss 19 Theme To Revolve Around AI? Here's What We Know

Last Updated: The makers have confirmed that artificial intelligence is going to play a major role in this season. One of Indian television's most popular reality shows, Bigg Boss, is gearing up to make a comeback with its 19th season. The show, popular for its high-intensity drama and controversies, once again will be hosted by none other than Salman Khan. Bigg Boss Season 19 is expected to premiere in August 2025. Bigg Boss 19 Theme And Format While earlier reports suggested that Salman Khan had already shot the promo on July 21, the latest reports have surfaced regarding the theme and format of this much-awaited show. According to a report by Indian Express, the theme for Bigg Boss 19 was initially speculated to be 'rewind.' However, the makers have confirmed that artificial intelligence is going to play a major role in this season. As per the report, the makers are also set to introduce multiple fresh twists, with one of the biggest changes being in the elimination process, as in the upcoming season, housemates will have the power to decide the eliminations. As per the Indian Express, a source informed the outlet that in the upcoming season of Bigg Boss, contestants will get the upper hand. From the eviction process to rationing or choosing the tasks, contestants will play a predominant role in making various crucial decisions this season. The source further informed that this season will make a shift from 'Bigg Boss chahte hai" to 'Bigg Boss janna chahte hai." Bigg Boss 19 Contestants The latest report has already created significant buzz among the audience. Previous reports also suggested that, as of now, 45 celebrities have been approached to become contestants in the show. As per the Bigg Boss Taza Khabar account, various TV personalities and influencers were previously approached for the season. Some of them include Miley Jab Hum Tum actress Rati Pandey, Hunar Hali, Apoorva Mukhija, aka The Rebel Kid, Mr. Faisu, Dhanashree Verma, Sreeram Chandra, Meera Deosthale, and Bhavika Sharma, among others. A UAE-based robot, Habubu, was also reported to appear on the show; however, as per the Indian Express, a source informed the outlet that the robot might not be able to come on the show. According to the outlet, the Bigg Boss house is said to be ready by August 20 for the upcoming season. Like previous seasons, art director and filmmaker Omung Kumar and his wife, Vanita Garud, will design the Bigg Boss house with a unique artistic flair. The show is expected to premiere on JioHotstar from August 30, 2025. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store