The Bapu Museum looked colourful with various hues on Saturday as dozens of paintings and photographs highlighting the heritage of Andhra Pradesh and the history of river Krishna were showcased both by the Department of Archaeology and Museums and Artist Associations’ Guild as part of Krishna Pushkarams.
Vintage photographs, collected and preserved by the department, brought to the fore century-old temples, forts, wells, inscriptions and places of historical importance in various districts. These works are displayed at the coastal museum.
“This expo is sponsored by the Department of Culture and Language. Around 60 painters representing the guild are also taking part with their works. The works are made of acrylic, oil, water and other multi-mixed paints projecting the sthala purana of the river which flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before hitting the at Humsaladeevi,” said guild president B.A. Reddy from Pamarru.
He said the theme of the painting was Krishna Pushkarams and the works dealt with temples, idols, rituals, nature and the splendour of river Krishna and leaders who shaped the future of Andhra Pradesh.
Guild formed in 1992
Mr. Reddy said that the guild was formed in 1992 when the State was united. “After bifurcation, the guild was shifted to Guntur. We, as desired by the Department of Culture and Language, took part in the Godavari Pushkars and also in the Ugadi celebrations at Government Music College in Vijayawada. This is the third big event we are taking part,” said secretary Mruthunjaya Rao.
He said that each painting displayed will get Rs.6,000 from the department and on the final day, the guild, in memory of several late painters such as Damerla Rama Rao, Bhagirathi, A.S. Ram and M. S. Murthy will honour the participants with awards and mementoes.
