The Karnataka state government has been celebrating the centenary year of legendary artist K.K. Hebbar in a big way through a series of events and exhibits, including one at The National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. According to the Ministry of Culture, it was the responsibility of the government to honor an artist whose contributions had greatly enriched the art scene and made the country proud.
The Karnataka Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) Chairman, J.S. Khande Rao, inaugurated an exhibit of the late artist’s serigraph works. According to Rao, those who had savored the serene series of line drawings of dancing feet by him would appreciate its beauty. The swirling skirts, the ‘ghungrus’, the outstretched arms of the dancer indeed bring alive the sketches in black ink, he rightly pointed out. Hebbar had a great understanding and appreciation of the world around him. He would portray the settings with all their power and beauty, with a philosophical touch.
Born in 1911 in the Udupi district of Karnataka, Kattingeri Krishna Hebbar was born in an artisan family. His father would make idols of Lord Ganesha. The background in folk art made him pursue art as a career. In spite of having been trained in the Western tradition, his work remained soaked in the Indian folk traditions.
After initial training in Mysore and then at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, he worked as an art instructor there between 1940 and 1945. He then visited Europe to study at the Academy Julian, Paris. During his early years, he was influenced by Amrita Sher Gill and Paul Gauguin. His idiom was a unique mix of both impressionistic & expressionistic techniques.
An acute social concern prompted him to focus on themes like poverty and hunger. On the other hand, his drawings and paintings captured the graceful gestures of dance performances, influenced by his deep study of the classical dance form, Kathak.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment