Celebrating a beloved guide: the resurfacing of K.S Kulkarni's literary masterpieces
Art Exhibition at Triveni Kala Sangam Celebrates the Legacy of K.S. Kulkarni
In a tribute to renowned painter K.S. Kulkarni, an exhibition titled 'Esoteric Expressions: Convergence of the classical and the contemporary' is currently on display at Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi. The exhibition, curated by Shobha Bhatia, Kulkarni's mentee, showcases his works from the 1980s to the mid-1990s.
Born in the Belgaum district of Karnataka in 1916, Kulkarni began his artistic journey in Pune before completing his diploma and postgraduate studies in fine arts at Sir JJ School of Arts in Mumbai between 1935 and 1942. After moving to Delhi in 1943, he took up a job as a textile designer and later, in the 1960s, started teaching art classes.
Kulkarni's artistic career was marked by a unique blend of modernist techniques and traditional motifs, resembling European mosaics and Cubism. He was unafraid to experiment with unusual colours in his art, as recalled by Shobha Bhatia. His compositions were heavily influenced by tribal and folk traditions.
During his career, Kulkarni exhibited internationally in cities such as Tokyo, Paris, New York, Venice, Sao Paulo, and London. One of his most notable works is a 200-foot mural created for an exhibition in Moscow, commissioned by the Indian government.
In the 1940s, Kulkarni came across artists like B.C. Sanyal, Kanwal Krishna, and Dhanraj Bhagat, many of whom were displaced from Lahore after Partition. Together, they founded the Delhi Shilpi Chakra, a movement parallel to the Bombay Progressives.
The exhibition at Triveni Kala Sangam is divided into several categories, including abstract, landscapes, still life, and figurative works. Kulkarni's artworks are characterised by thick outlines and slightly textured backgrounds. The exhibition concludes on October 7, the day Kulkarni passed away in 1994.
Shobha Bhatia is honoring Kulkarni's legacy by bringing his work back to Triveni Kala Sangam on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. After the exhibition at Triveni, it will move to Gallerie Ganesha.
It is worth noting that Kulkarni exhibited after his time in the 1980s and mid-1990s, but the specific locations or exhibitions where he showed his work after these periods are not mentioned in the provided search results. Kulkarni also served as a visiting professor at Skidmore College in New York.
This exhibition provides a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts to revisit and appreciate the works of a master who has left an indelible mark on Indian contemporary art.
