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 |
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. The Parishath organizes Chitra Santhe, a cultural event, on January of every year. The motto of the event is "Art for All". The event showcases affordable art to public.
History
The Parishath started off on a two and half acres of land leased by Government of Karnataka, with initial donations from HK Kejriwal, an industrialist. Svetoslav Roerich donated several of his paintings and those of his father Nicholas Roerich to the Parishath. 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 also a graphic studio making it into a full-fledged art complex. In 1995, Kejriwal donated his family's art collection which were displayed in spacious galleries in the Parishath. In 1998-99 a sculpture gallery was also 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 also inaugurated.