S.G. Vasudev is one of the city's proactive artists and it's no wonder screenings of a film on his long and fruitful career have been attracting a lot of attention. Called The Open Frame , the film has been directed by Chetan Shah and dwells languorously on Vasudev's productive life.
Vasudev has been active in the city's art affairs for several decades now. As the film shows, he had a major role to play in the setting up the Department of Visual Arts at Bangalore University and the National Gallery of Modern Art. Much of his work is spent in liaising with government agencies to see that visual arts get their due. His interest in art spaces is also evident in his tenacious work in sprucing up the Venkatappa Art Gallery.
What is interesting is that his contribution to cultural life has not been restricted to visual arts: it extends across music, literature and theatre.
Perhaps all this should explain what attracted the film's director to this subject but, as Shah says, Vasudev's personality is what interested him first.
“Of course, there is no doubt that he's a great artist as well, but when he [was involved with] the Cholamandal Artists' Village [and was part of the Madras Movement], I had just finished my studies and I was connected with all of that. I was in awe of that place,” Shah explained.
Shah also added that one of the best parts about making the film was that Vasudev himself was very accessible through the filming, which intermittently lasted for a year and a half.
“He gave us complete access to his life and was as enthusiastic about making the film as us,” Shah said.
