The visual arts calendar of Bengaluru is choc-a-bloc with exhibitions, workshops, lectures and seminars in which tradition and contemporary styles merge, established and emerging artists showcase their work, and public and private spaces coexist. The exhibition of the works of RM Hadapad at Swasti Art gallery in HCG is one of the many events currently on in the city and yet it stands out for several reasons, like its location and content. The showcase of the few unseen works of the master artist has been put together by Hadapad’s student JMS Mani. The latter wasn’t just one of his favourite students but also led the Ken School of Art established by Hadapad, for several years.
“I spent about 40 years of my life with him. So I like to think that I know him and his art well,” says the senior artist showing us the exhibits culled out from his personal collection, and a few taken on loan.”
Pen drawings, pencil drawings, charcoal, mixed media, oils and acrylic done by Hadapad from the 70s to 90s make up this show. Rudrappa Mallappa Hadapad’s is a seminal name in the history of modern art in India. Badami, where he was born, was a major source of inspiration in his art. It was expressed through evocative landscape, scenes, faces and portraits. “He would tell me to go and collect waste paper and paint a beautiful abstract work on it. He painted on newspapers and discarded paper. He painted realistic and abstract works. He also painted spontaneously and gave his works away to his students. That’s how several of his students have so many of his works. Even in this show, I have taken a few works from his other students.”
Speaking of his canvas, one can spot a brown paper forming the backdrop of a portrait and a Russian magazine for two monochrome paintings of ‘Mother and child’. Another minimalistic work from 1973 depicting a man and a child derives its visual vocabulary from cubism. A hobby centre behind Bangalore University where Hadapad would conduct art classes, scenes from Hampi and Badami; the exhibition looks like vignettes from the artist’s diary. “This is the sixth solo after Hadapad sir’s demise. We have a group called Ken School of Art Old Students and Wellwishers Association that is committed to taking forward his legacy through exhibitions and awards,” says the senior artist.
Hadapad’s contribution to the discourse around modern Indian art is immense. He, along with Mounoli, Hublikar and Patel, formed a group called “WE FOUR” which questioned the existing art practices and explored new opportunities. It was with this same urge to push the boundaries that he began Ken School of Art, structured differently in terms of its functioning and approach. “Anybody who had a thirst for art could come and learn for a meagre fee and those who couldn’t afford that didn’t need to pay.”
Hadapad’s philosophy of art for all resonates with the space chosen for the exhibition and goes even further in the realm of art for healing.
(T he exhibition is on at Swasti Art gallery, HCG 8, P Kalinga Rao Road, Sampangi Ram Nagar, till May 26)
