Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent decision to put up a portrait of 12th Century social reformer Basaveshwara in all government offices, which is being viewed as an attempt to appease the Veerashaiva community ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls, has run into a controversy. The artist behind the portrait is upset over the government not acknowledging his work.
The portrait painted by V.T. Kaale from Sandur 12 years ago got space alongside Mahatma Gandhi and B.R. Ambedkar in government offices across the State following an announcement made by Mr. Siddaramaiah at a Congress rally in Gundlupet to mark Basava Jayanti.
Mr. Siddaramaiah’s move was seen as an attempt to step out of his AHINDA image and reach out to other communities, including the Veearashaivas, ahead of the polls. Veearashaivas, essentially followers of Basaveshwara, account for a large chunk of voters in north Karnataka.
Mr. Kaale was shocked when he saw his portrait of Basavanna on Facebook without his signature. “I was not upset because the government removed my name ‘digitally’, but because they did not show the basic courtesy of informing me before choosing my work, and acknowledging me,” the 83-year-old told The Hindu .
However, as a damage control exercise, government representatives called up Mr. Kaale on Monday and assured him of correcting the mistake after bringing it to the notice of Mr. Siddaramaiah.
‘Unintentional mistake’
“Department of Information and Public Relations director N.R. Vishu Kumar apologised for the ‘unintentional mistake’ and promised to correct it,” said Mr. Kaale. “I don’t know how they will restore my signature on the portraits that are already adorning the walls of the government offices. Had they asked me, I would have permitted them to use my work without asking for royalty or credit,” he said.
Mr. Kaale said that he painted the portrait at the insistence of Shivamurthy Sharana of Chitradurga Murugha Mutt and it was unveiled in New Delhi in 2005, which was attended by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda. “It took around 15 days to complete the portrait of Basaveshwara scripting the Vachanas,” he said.
