The riot of colours on Kumara Krupa Road, the venue of the fifth Chitra Santhe on Sunday, wasn’t only on the various canvases with bold abstracts, but also in the sea of people who had come to savour creativity at its reasonable best.
True to its name, the day started off with a packed street.“It is so good to be here,” said artist and muralist Gurudas Shenoy, who was impressed with a few Kerala artists who made reproductions on tapestry. “No doubt it is a reproduction but the medium is different.” In a jovial mood, Shenoy was accompanied by his wife, child and friends.
The mood was contagious, just being in the crowd had a therapeutic effect on Jousha, a volunteer. “I like the crowd, there is so much energy. I used to visit the fest every year and since this year I am in Chirtakala Parishath I got the opportunity to volunteer,” she said.
It was a soothing place for some and a place to meet for others. “I’m waiting for my friends and look I’ve bought some cool postcard-sized watercolour,” said Rainya S, a copy-writer. She bought a set and said she’ll gift them to her friends. “They are small and cute,” she said and suggested they could even be placed on one’s work-desk.
Numbers indicated the festival’s popularity. “We had expected the crowd,” said Jaishree, who had come with her family. “Extended family,” she corrected, “we plan to buy something, haven’t decided what and then we all are going to a movie from here.”
Steady success
The Santhe seems to be growing from strength to strength. This year’s USP was the video festival. Lined patiently were people who were mostly drawn by the novelty of the concept.
Jaiprakash and his friends were following a disjointed queue. “We are here since morning, now we have all the time, so we decided to check out the video festival,” Jai said. But they did not know what to expect. “May be a documentary,” one of them guessed.
Entering the office space-converted-into-screening-hall, I make my way to a lone chair. It’s a packed house. The short clippings were good, although it was like watching a film without knowing what’s happening. But fine art students found the films interesting.
Mihir Kumar, a fine arts student, felt that the inclusion of video festival was a great idea as it exposed individuals like him to understand the medium better.
But then there were a few who didn’t know what it meant. Forty-two-year-old Saroja, homemaker, didn’t understand the films. Leaving the hall, she said, “What kind of art is this?”
Her other concern was that it should come with a caution. “Some scenes were not fit for young children.” She complained that it was difficult to explain.
Fun day
Cotton candy, bhelpuri, masala kadlekai, coconut water, ice cream, boiled and roasted corn — with goodies being sold across the stretch, families had a fun time.
“My children are going full out and trying everything,” said Devraj, a parent of two children as he waited for his kids to choose their favourite ice cream flavour.
“We are yet to pick any paintings, but there is a lot of variety,” said Kamakshi, Devraj’s wife. She had set her eyes on the tribal art paintings on tassar silk. “You know it is beautiful and is available for Rs 750,” she informed and turned to her husband to discuss where they can place it.
Walking past I noticed children of all ages, from as young as a few months strapped on their parent in a baby pouch to schoolgoing kids. Looks like these tiny tots had had an early art initiation lesson.
