Eminent artist S.G. Vasudev has lamented that the immortal works of S.M. Pandit have not got the recognition and importance they deserve in the world of fine arts.
He said time was now ripe for the world to take note of the artist’s contribution.
Appreciation due
Speaking after the unveiling the portrait of Dr. Pandit painted by Nadoja J.S. Khanderao at the inauguration of the birth centenary celebrations of the artist in Kalaburagi city on Sunday, Mr. Vasudev said that even Raja Ravivarma’s paintings were initially dubbed as calendar art.
It was only around three decades ago that Ravivarma’s works finally got the recognition of they deserved and he was ultimately declared as the father of Indian Modern Art.
“I consider Dr. Pandit’s works far better than that of Ravivarma. The days are not far off when the world of fine arts will recognise Dr. Pandit as it recognised Ravivarma,” Mr. Vasudev said.
Pleading for establishing a full-fledged art gallery to exhibit all the works of Dr. Pandit in Kalaburagi city on the lines of the Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bengaluru, Mr. Vasudev said that the proposed S.M. Pandit Art Gallery should also have a space exhibit paintings of other artists and a separate floor to organise workshops for young artists.
He said the artists or family members of Dr. Pandit should not look to the government’s help to set up the gallery; they should join their hands and take up the initiative to construct the proposed art gallery.
“The artists have the resources and the mindset to make this a reality,” Mr. Vasudev said.
Chairman of the Karnataka State Lalith Kala Academy M.S. Murthy in his address supported the plea for establishment of a separate S.M. Pandit Art Gallery and said the Academy would lend its helping hand in the endeavour.
Portrait of S.M. Pandit unveiled in Kalaburagi on Sunday
