2-day ChitraSanthe begins at Manasagangothri

Mysuru: The two-day DasaraChitraSanthe began at Manasagangothri campus near Clock Tower here this morning.

The sprawling campus was transformed into an open-air art gallery. The Santhe opened with a colourful procession featuring folk troupes from Kuvempu statue at the entrance and proceeded towards Clock Tower.

More than 50 art stalls have been set up along the stretch featuring on-the-spot paintings, live demonstrations and finished artworks for exhibition and sale.

ChitraSanthe will be open to public today and tomorrow from 8 am to 9 pm. The exhibits include paintings, sculptures, clay toys, graphics, applied arts, photography, animation, textile design and other forms of art.

Visitors were drawn to a variety of themes, including wildlife and portraits of historical figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, besides works featuring celebrated Kannada literary figures.

Traffic Police were deployed along the routes to regulate traffic and direct vehicles to designated parking areas.

District Minister Dr.YathindraSiddaramaiah formally inaugurated the Santhe by painting a picture and beating the drums.

Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner M.K. Savitha, who is also Chairperson of the DasaraChitraSanthe Sub-Committee, led the event.

Addressing the gathering, Dr.Yathindra said ChitraSanthe was being organised to encourage artists and art lovers, as Mysuru was the cultural capital and home to various art forms.

He said this year’s Santhe had been organised alongside the YuvaSambhrama even before the formal inauguration of Dasara, bringing together art and youth. He also urged the public to support artists by purchasing their works.

At the Santhe, officials and staff of MCC danced to Dasara title song in front of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue.

Posters of Women’s Dasara and Children’s Dasara were also released.