Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath
| Abbreviation | CKP |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1960 |
| Founder | S. S. Kukke, M. Arya Murthy, M.S. Nanjunda Rao |
| Location | |
| Website | Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath College of Fine Arts Bengaluru School of Visual Arts (Evening) |
Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (Kannada: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲಾ ಪರಿಷತ್) is a visual art complex located in Bangalore. The complex has 18 galleries. 13 of these galleries carry a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures and folk art. The other galleries are rented out for exhibitions of works by artists of repute. The folk art collection showcases Mysore paintings and leather puppets. The Parishat runs the College of Fine Arts, a visual arts college. Each January, the Parishath organizes Chitra Santhe, a cultural event showcasing affordable art to the public. The motto of the event is "Art for All".
History
The Parishath started off on a two-and-a-half acres of land leased by the Government of Karnataka, with initial donations from H. K. Kejriwal, an industrialist. Svetoslav Roerich donated several of his paintings and those of his father Nicholas Roerich to the Parishath.[1] In 1964, Nanjunda Rao's Chitrakala Vidyalaya was added to the Parishath. In 1966, it obtained recognition as an art-centre by the state and national Lalit Kala Akademi. The Parishath pioneered a survey of the Karnataka state's art treasures such as the famous Mysore paintings. In time, the Parishath added galleries and a graphic studio, making it into a full-fledged art complex. In 1995, Kejriwal donated his family's art collection, which was displayed in spacious galleries in the Parishath. In 1998-99, a sculpture gallery was added to the Parishath complex. An open-air theatre to cater to the needs of the visual and performing artists is also present. In 2003, two more large galleries for international and folk art were inaugurated.
Chitra Santhe
Since 2004, Chitra Santhe, the renowned art market festival is organized annually on the final Sunday of January, is Bangalore's annual art festival.[2][3] During the festival, the entire stretch of road from Shivananda Circle to Windsor Manor Hotel is converted into an open art gallery. The exhibition and sale of artworks are open to visitors from 8 am to 8 pm.[4]
In 2025, around 1,500 artists from 20 states displayed and sold their works at the festival, that was estimated to have witnessed a footfall of 5 lakh.[5]
Publications
The Parishath regularly publishes books on art and culture.[6] Notable among these are:
- Mysore chitramālā : traditional paintings[7]
- Humanism in art[8]
- Gaṇapatīya rūpagaḷu[9] and Gaṇapati : 32 drawings from a 19th cent. scroll[10]
- Y. Subramanya Raju centenary celebration : [catalogue of paintings on occasion of Sri Y. Subramanya Raju centenary celebration][11]
References
- ^ "Chitra Santhe to be held in Bengaluru on 27 March". Hindustan Times. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ^ "Chitra Santhe". utsav.gov.in. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ^ "Chitra Santhe turns 15 this year". The Hindu. 2 January 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2026 – via thehindu.com.
- ^ "Chitra Santhe to be held in Bengaluru on 27 March". ETV Bharat. 6 January 2026. Archived from the original on 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ^ "Chitra Santhe 2026 will focus on environment". The Hindu. 30 December 2025. Archived from the original on 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026 – via thehindu.com.
- ^ "Results for 'kw:Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath' [WorldCat.org]". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ "Formats and Editions of Mysore chitramālā : traditional paintings [WorldCat.org]". www.worldcat.org. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
- ^ Rerikh, S. N; Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (1991). Humanism in art. Bangalore: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. OCLC 62872640.
- ^ Ramachandra Rao, Saligrama Krishna; Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (1989). Gaṇapatīya rūpagaḷu. Beṅgalūru: Karnāṭaka Citrakalā Parishattu. OCLC 863420889.
- ^ Ramachandra Rao, Saligrama Krishna; Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (1989). Gaṇapati: 32 drawings from a 19th cent. scroll. Bangalore: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. OCLC 614838944.
- ^ Subramaṇya Rāju, Vai; Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (2008). Y. Subramanya Raju centenary celebration: [catalogue of paintings on occasion of Sri Y. Subramanya Raju centenary celebration. Bangalore: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. OCLC 436311882.