Tribute to another Artist

Ganesh Gudi- A name Karnataka artists wil remember fondly. I had the opportunity to be taught under him for sometime during my stay in Davangere in 1989. He taught me oil painting for two years and those were the most interesting days of my artistic life. I would look forward to each afternoon with him. He is unfortunately no more with us but he was one of those special people who was selfless and sincere. Destiny has taken him away from us but his art lives forever among patrons. I will always remember him as my first guru who initiated art into me.

More on Chamkur

I found this on Google search and thought it might be useful. This piece was published in the Sunday Tribune
S.N. Chamkur, the Andhra artist, graduated from the J.J. School of Art in 1920s. While specialising in portrait painting of the rich and famous, he also made his mark in depicting mythological episodes. One of his works shows the enchanting flute-wielding Lord Krishna captivating the gopis. It was awarded the best pictorial composition prize by the Bombay Art Society Exhibition in 1928. A disciple of Damarala Ramarao, founder of the Andhra School of Art, Chamkur not only carried on his guru’s tradition but enriched it with his innovative works.
Chamkur’s album of 24 beautiful pictures under the title "Art and Beauty", published in 1937, was hailed as a masterpiece and an admirable contribution to the Indian art of the day. The enchanting female figures executed with rare skill are charged with emotion and ease, the lines flow harmoniously bringing out the essence of life with its joys and sorrows. A mere glance at these figures is a visual delight. One marvels at Chamkur’s techniques and imagination. An amazing feature of his work is the illusion of a colour scheme in spite of the drawings being in black and white. We also notice a rare blending of the traditional Indian concept of visual expression and western academic art.
Chamkur’s extraordinary depiction of women in different moods was also recognised as a part of the renaissance in art experienced by the country at that time. He is, perhaps, the only artist of his time to give a visual expression to the formidable subject of woman and her moods and that too with such vigour and sincerity.
He succeeds in infusing life in his figures. Their innermost feelings and emotions are conveyed through his unique treatment of the subject. A contemporary art critic observed that ‘if a thing of beauty is a joy for ever. Chamkur has quite a number of perennial joys packed in his album.

A long remembered artist, Chamkur

I remember a long long time ago when I was a little girl of 4 , I used to live in Madras, with my parents and brother, on Apparaswamy koil street and I would often play in my neighbours house. It was the famous artist Chamkur's house and his daughter, Ravi, ( i think i am right) and others would pick me from my house and take me to watch their father paint. I remember him sitting nonchalently on his easy chair, brooding and yet would give a faint smile as he saw me. I remember his white dhoti and kurta and above all his beautiful painting of Mahatma Gandhi sitting and leaning on a soft cushion. I remember the tall building they lived in and his studio was on the top floor. Now after forty years I am reminded of these days in the artist's house. Chamkur is an artist from AndhraPradesh. I do not know where he or his fly are now but I have pictures and a strong memory of those pleasant days.