Launched in 2014, PhotoSparks is a weekly characteristic from YourStory, with images that remember the spirit of creativity and innovation. Within the earlier 850 posts, we featured an artwork pageant, cartoon gallery. world music pageant, telecom expo, millets truthful, local weather change expo, wildlife convention, startup pageant, Diwali rangoli, and jazz pageant.
Greater than 1,500 artists from 22 states throughout India participated within the 2025 version of Chitra Santhe. Organised by Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, it’s considered one in all India’s largest annual avenue celebrations of artwork (see our protection of earlier editions right here).
“For aspiring artists, Chitra Santhe is a superb platform to kickstart their artwork journey. It gives a singular alternative to showcase their work to a big viewers and interact straight with consumers,” artist Madhumita Meher tells YourStory.
The occasion can also be a fantastic platform for promoting work. “This offers some monetary help wanted to create extra paintings and contemplate pursuing knowledgeable profession in artwork,” she provides.
At Chitra Santhe, individuals typically search work at decrease costs. “It’s subsequently vital to maintain the pricing affordable. My approximate value vary begins from Rs 3,000 and goes as much as Rs 40,000,” Meher explains.
Sharanu Gangadhara exhibited a spread of elephant heads and cow heads painted on stable wooden. They have been priced from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000, with some variation for bigger items based mostly on buyer necessities.
“Like many different artists, I used to be very completely happy to exhibit artworks to such a big crowd. I interacted with lots of people completely different views,” he enthuses.
Gangadhara says he would really feel higher if the exhibition have been held a minimum of twice a 12 months. “Gross sales are above common, however we get nice leads from it,” he recollects.
For Chitra Santhe, Poonam KS created a collection of works that discover the theme of transformation and progress. “These items are deeply private, as they mirror my very own journey of change and renewal,” she describes.
“I’ve labored with a mixture of media to create texture and depth, conveying the sensation of evolving by challenges. Every bit represents a special stage on this course of, from the struggles to the moments of readability and peace,” she says.
Poonam hopes such works evoke a way of hope and resilience within the viewer. “The artworks are supposed to remind viewers that change, although tough, at all times results in progress,” she explains.
The worth vary of her works varies relying on the medium, measurement, and the time spent on each bit. “Usually, my smaller works begin round a number of a whole lot of rupees, whereas bigger items can go as much as a number of hundreds,” she says.
She at all times strives to create artwork that isn’t solely significant but additionally accessible to a variety of collectors. “I would like my works to hook up with seasoned artwork fans in addition to these simply starting to discover the world of artwork,” Poonam provides.
Artist Jyoti Machigad believes that artwork is a critically under-appreciated profession and passion in India. “A profession in artwork is nearly thought of taboo in India, however issues are slowly altering now,” she observes.
“Youthful persons are extra appreciative of the artwork round them and are extra supportive of non-mainstream choices. Artwork is such a strong software,” she affirms.
Artwork is able to influencing the world in additional methods than we will fathom. “Individuals simply must see the impression of artwork and embrace it as a necessity of life,” Machigad suggests.
Vanishree Siddarth is a prolific artist. “I’ve misplaced rely of the quite a few artworks I’ve created all through my inventive journey,” she admits.
“We’d like extra artwork appreciation in society. I believe we must always begin with early publicity by integrating artwork schooling into the varsity curriculum in any respect ranges,” she suggests.
Growing entry to museums, galleries, and cultural occasions by inexpensive entry charges and outreach applications might lure extra individuals into the world of artwork. “Fostering native artwork by workshops, festivals, and public installations additionally assist,” she provides.
Social media can enhance the artwork ecosystem as effectively. “The trending social media influencers can convey a variety of consideration to artwork and its tradition,” Siddarth recommends.
Shaivya Rastogi believes that artwork shouldn’t be seen as solely a luxurious. “I really imagine that we have to break free from this elitist fantasy. Artwork has no boundaries and the great thing about artwork is for everybody,” she suggests.
“India is a really vibrant nation, and we don’t realise that there’s a lot artwork in our day after day lives. This contains day by day morning rangoli in south India, ritualistic artwork in numerous ceremonies, and even tribal artwork in huts of some distant Gujarat village,” she observes.
She advises individuals to attempt to spot how artwork is in all places. “Nonetheless, the extent of artwork appreciation in India Shouldn’t be sufficient, and lots of occasions artists are taken without any consideration,” she laments.
“To make artwork extra appreciated, it must be introduced out of posh artwork galleries to make it attain plenty. Occasions like Chitra Sante are doing a superb job in doing simply that,” Rastogi acknowledges.
She additionally factors to the significance of artwork communication. Artwork faculties ought to focus not simply on the event of inventive expertise, but additionally the storytelling a part of artwork.
“Storytelling creates readability of thought processes for an artist and helps enhance the summary high quality of labor. It additionally makes an paintings extra interesting to a purchaser if there’s a good story behind the thought course of,” Rastogi indicators off.
Now what have you ever accomplished in the present day to pause in your busy schedule and harness your artistic facet for a greater world?
Aditi Maheshwaran
Jayashree
(All images have been taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at Chitra Santhe.)
