Mangaluru: As part of the ongoing Karavali Utsava celebrations, the district administration, in association with Sharadhi Prathishtana, will organise a three-day Kala Parba, a national-level art, sculpture and cultural fair, at Kadri Park in Mangaluru from January 9. The event aims to provide a vibrant platform for artists from across the country to exhibit their creativity and engage with art lovers, students and the general public.
Addressing mediapersons, Dr S M Shivaprakash of Karavali Chitrakala Chavadi said that Kala Parba will feature the works of nearly 120 artists, with over 5,000 artworks on display during the three-day event. In addition, 100 selected photographs from a national-level photography competition will also be exhibited, adding further diversity to the fair.
Dignitaries to attend inauguration
The inaugural ceremony of Kala Parba will be attended by Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader and District In-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, among other dignitaries, organisers said. Their presence is expected to add prominence to the event, which has grown into one of the key cultural attractions of Karavali Utsava over the years.
Organisers noted that Kala Parba has steadily evolved into a significant national-level art fair, attracting artists and visitors from multiple states and districts.
Packed schedule of art and cultural activities
The three-day programme has been designed to include a wide range of activities catering to different age groups and artistic interests. On January 10, an interaction session with artists will be held, offering visitors and students an opportunity to engage directly with practising artists and understand their creative journeys.
This will be followed by a rangoli competition at noon and a drawing competition at 3 pm. In the evening, the audience will be treated to a Hindustani flute recital, followed by the felicitation of artists. The day will conclude with a Yakshagana performance by students of the Saanidhya Residential School and Training Centre.
On January 11, a sculpture art demonstration by students of the Canara Bank-sponsored C E Kamath Institute of Artisans, Karkala, will be held at 11 am. Later in the day, a mehendi competition will take place at 2 pm. The evening schedule includes a street play by students of Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra, an art workshop by Vishwakarma Kala Parishat artists at 5 pm, a Yakshagana performance by artistes of Poornachandra Yakshakala Prathishtana, Kondadakuli, and a cultural programme titled ‘Radharadhane’.
Platform for artists aged 8 to 80
Senior artist and founder-president of Karavali Chitrakala Chavadi, B Ganesha Somayaji, said that artists aged between 8 and 80 years will participate in Kala Parba. He highlighted that the event provides budding young artists with a valuable opportunity to showcase their talent alongside experienced professionals.
“Many young artists who were given space at earlier editions of Kala Parba are now earning their livelihood through art,” he said. With the objective of offering equal encouragement to all age groups, the organisers have planned activities such as children’s art competitions, Kalaspandhana, live art demonstrations and large-scale art exhibitions.
Artists from across states to participate
Artists from various districts of Karnataka and neighbouring states are arriving in Mangaluru to exhibit their works. According to organisers, artists will set up stalls from places such as Kasaragod, Kannur, Kochi, Davanagere, Hubballi, Chitradurga, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kodagu, Hassan and Udupi.
The fair is expected to serve as a platform for interaction, exchange of experiences and cultural dialogue among artists from diverse backgrounds, contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the region.
Live demonstrations and student participation
One of the highlights of the event will be a large watercolour painting demonstration on environmental awareness. On January 10 at 3 pm, students of renowned artist B S Desai from Hassan will create a painting measuring five feet in height and 20 feet in length.
Around 800 students are expected to participate in drawing competitions held across lower primary, higher primary, high school and college categories. Organisers said that every participating student will receive a certificate and a medal. Spot registration will be available, and students must produce their educational institution identity card to participate.
National-level photography competition
Artist Dinesh said that a national-level photography competition on the theme “Discovery of India” has been organised as part of Kala Parba. About 650 entries were received from across the country, of which 100 photographs have been selected for display at the exhibition.
The winners of the competition will receive cash prizes of ₹25,000, ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 respectively, while winners in theme-based categories will receive ₹1,000 each.
Economic and traffic arrangements
Sharadhi Prathishtana vice-president Punik Shetty said that artists had earned business worth ₹27 lakh during last year’s Kala Parba, highlighting the economic significance of the event for the art community.
As part of the arrangements, the road in front of Kadri Park will be closed during the event. Parking facilities have been arranged at Padua School ground, Padua grounds, KPT and the Circuit House to ensure smooth traffic movement.
Conclusion
With an extensive programme featuring art exhibitions, live demonstrations, competitions and cultural performances, Kala Parba promises to be a major attraction of Karavali Utsava this year. Organisers expressed hope that the event will continue to nurture artistic talent, promote cultural exchange and strengthen Mangaluru’s identity as a vibrant cultural hub.