How is the life of artists who carve realistic idols in Karnataka and Maharashtra
Art can be portrayed in multiple forms over a range of subjects. The same subject can again be expressed in multiple ways through different arts. Art and subject are tied hand in hand. There is no art without a subject. Of the many arts that exist, carving realistic idols is one. This concept has been used well to portray the subject of the rich Indian history and natural farming at a museum in Maharashtra’s Kaneri mutt. Being a visionary, Kadu Siddeshwar Swamiji who is the Swamiji at the mutt has allowed artists to display their skills by carving realistic idols that depict our past and how important the protection of the environment is.
People visit this place from all around the country to take a walk inside an entire village carved from cement by a group of 18 artists. Preserving the Indian culture and promoting natural farming is the subject on which the art stands.
On my all-India cycle tour, I resided in Kaneri Mutt for two nights during which I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting two artists. Manjunath Bhopdappa Bavikatti and Venkatesh Govindappa. Their work mesmerized me to such an extent that I wanted to listen to them and understand what went on in their lives that allows them to make art of such high quality.
I was told that to make one good realistic idol takes as many as 20 days and for one great idol, 40 days. These people were extremely kind and humble. Took me around the entire museum and explained to me the process and procedure involved in sculpting idols. More than anything, they opened up their mind to let me know who they are as people which allows them to be artists.
So how is the life of these artists who carve realistic idols for a living?
I always wanted to be an artist – Manjunath Boodappa
Born in a small village called Bentur in the Gadag district of Karnataka, Manjunath sir told me that he always wanted to pursue art. Brought up in a poor family along with 2 other brothers and 1 sister, Sir completed his education in BA, although his interests were to take up an art course. Back in the day, his family couldn’t afford art courses and so he had to settle for a BA bachelor’s degree. Sir told me that the drawing class was his favourite period in school. Since he was young, he always enjoyed painting.
Soon after the completion of his degree, he started writing on boards hung in the village and on number plates. Noticing his interest in art, through a mutual friend, he was put in touch with one Mr Veeranna Janopanther sir, who was an artist in Kaneri mutt. Through him, Manjunath sir learnt the art of carving realistic idols.
Manjunath sir has been at the mutt for close to two decades now. He said that one can never master any art form. He continues to learn and enjoys investing his time there. He has a family with a boy of 7 years of age and a girl of 12 years of age whom he intends to educate to his fullest capacity. He says thanks to the art he has learnt, he and his family live a comfortable life today.
To understand the mindset that allowed him to dwell in art, I asked Manjunath sir a couple of questions on his personal front.
Justifications
On being asked why he chose to work in Kaneri mutt, Sir replied that he chose art because he has ample opportunity to learn something new every time. He said even sculpting the hand of the idol in itself is a big task and an art of its own. There is a lot to learn and he enjoys doing that. He always had it within him to learn. The art he does in Kanneri Mutt simply feeds into him.
Validations
On being asked who he has done all this for, he said it is important to work in one’s life. He came into the profession as he enjoys the work. He has been turned permanent in Kaneri mutt and said “I feel like I am in heaven right now. I can’t say anything more”.
Complaints
His only complaint is that he couldn’t complete the DMC art course. Although he is an artist, he still can not show it on paper. “I don’t have any other complaint in life at all”, said Manjunath sir.
Materialism
Sir said any amount of money he would get, he would keep some for himself and donate the rest to help the world. The money he gets for himself he said would be invested in his kid’s education. He emphasized that nothing is more important than education and added to the point that he is getting his kids educated in English medium school.
On being asked what his message to the world is, he said, “Kindly protect the environment. That is all we have as ours”.
The art caught hold of me, the interest never left – Venkatesh Govindappa
Born in a small village of Lingadhala in Gadag district, Venkatesh sir said he was dull at studies. He dropped out of education and eventually started to work on his father’s farm. Similar to Manjunath sir, Venkatesh sir also got in touch with Mr Veeranna Janopanther who was from the same village as Venkatesh sir. When he came to Kaneri Mutt, he figured out that sculpting was a fun event he enjoyed. His interests developed as he started looking at making models as a play. The fact that one can put into being an image in their head through this art form enthralled him. After working for close to 2 decades, he says he still enjoys art as play as he did since day 1 of coming to Kaneri Mutt.
He said that eventually in his life he wants to go back home and start natural farming. That is what he wishes for. His girl child is only 3 years young and he says he only intends to give her good samskruthi. Teach her to do good as he was taught by his parents.
Justifications
Venkatesh sir said that whatever he does he does it for his parents. He also told that he found a lot of peace in his life after coming to Kaneri Mutt. It makes him feel as though he isn’t supposed to do any bad in society when he is out there.
Validations
Sir told that he does art 50% for himself as he enjoys doing it. But 50% also got others to see as he wants thousands of people to watch his art and feel happy. That makes him want to do more art.
Complaints
Sir told that his only complaint is that he had made one terrible mistake in his life. He didn’t want to reveal what the mistake was. But he told that it was an honest one. He wishes to replace it with goodness by doing good at the mutt.
Materialism
Sir said that on receiving a lumpsum amount of money, he would keep a quarter of the share with himself and donate the rest to the needy. According to him if you help a man in need, you become God to them.
Both these people had one thing in common. They enjoyed making art. They also wanted to learn something more each time. Pleasure derived from the activity one loves and passion to learn more might perhaps be the major driving factors for an artist’s outstanding piece of work.
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I am a 31 year young PhD graduate who has decided to travel the length and breadth of India on my cycle, to document the journey of meeting a vast array of people. In my journey, I intend to understand the characteristic features of the people of this nation and categorize them based on their demographics, age, profession, gender, traditions, and cultural differences.
I think I see a pattern in people here. Those who have found their purpose in life are content and have little to complain, while others including me are still fighting a battle…
I think I see a pattern in people here. Those who have found their purpose in life are content and have little to complain, while others including me are still fighting a battle…