CANACONA
‘Rekharupam’, an exhibition of Kaavi artworks by Dr Janardhan Rao Havanje, was inaugurated by PP Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji at the Indirakanth Bhavan Gallery, Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math,
Canacona.
Speaking on the occasion, Swamiji said Kaavi art is one of the indigenous traditional art forms found in many temples and sacred places across the Konkan coastal region. He said paintings at the recently renovated Partagali Sri Kshetra had also been recreated using the traditional Kaavi technique.
“Dr Havanje has created paintings depicting the entire Ramayana as well as the Dashavatara at the Math. It is the responsibility of all of us to preserve and encourage this local art form. May many more artistic creations emerge through his hands,” he said.
Kaavi art, an indigenous art tradition that developed around the 13th century, is today on the verge of extinction. Dr Janardhan Havanje has devoted the past 23 years to researching, studying, conserving and reviving the tradition. He has also created Kaavi artworks and trained the younger generation in the art form.
Dr Havanje said it was a matter of good fortune that the Swamijis of Shree Samsthan had given artists an opportunity to promote Kaavi art and entrusted him with creating the entire Ramayana, Dashavatara and various other devotional paintings at the Math. “Creating these works at Partagali gave me a valuable opportunity to learn extensively from the Swamiji. The institution has also emerged as an important centre and gallery for Kaavi art,” he said.
The event was attended by Vikram Bhat, priest of Partagali Math and president of the Chaturmasya Vrata Committee, along with several other dignitaries. The exhibition, held with the support of the Kannada and Culture Department, Bengaluru, features around 45 Kaavi artworks.
The collection includes depictions of various deities, different forms of Lord Ganesha, Sri Rama Darshanam, Kamadhenu, Annapurna, Sri Vitthalatraya and the Dashavatara, along with traditional mandala designs and several other Kaavi compositions.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until August 18, from 10am to 7pm.
