Legendary artist BKS Varma stops painting

Legendary artist BKS Varma, renowned for his live performances specializing in combining art with dance and poetry at an unimaginable speed left the mortal world in the early hours on Monday and thereby putting an end to his unique style of painting.



An alumnus of Kalamandir: Born at Karnur (05 September 1949) of Attibele Taluk on the outskirts of Bengaluru, bordering Tamil Nadu to artist mother Jayalakshmi and musician teacher, father Krishnamacharya BKS Varma had his formal art education at the Bengaluru based Kalamandir founded by the legendary visionary Gandhian A.N Subbarao. The art educationist ahead of his time trained the young boy in painting and sculpture. He continued further his interest in sculpture under the tutorship of ACH Acharya, another sought-after sculptor in Devanahalli.


Sketching at the age of six: Thanks to his artist mother and musician father, BKS Varma was gifted with artistic talent ever since his birth. Maybe with such artistic background and artist parents, he began sketching as a favourite pastime when he was barely a six year old child. Though he was in Kalamandir from 1964 to 1967 for the formal art course, he was under the guidance of A.N Subbarao from 1962 to 1968.


Depiction of Gods brings him closer to the common man: The highlight of BKS Varma’s artworks and more so his paintings depicting various Gods and Godmen probably brought him closer to the average person irrespective of one’s background. Paintings of such personalities in a simple, beautiful and fascinating style form grabbed the attention of the viewers in no time. Perhaps, it was only a beginning and no looking back at all further for him in the art field.


A treat to watch: All of you might have visited any number of painting exhibitions apart from being a witness to live demonstrations by veteran artists. But, the experience one underwent while watching the painting wizard draw, sketch and paint a poem recital or a dance presentation was worth recollecting for a lifetime.


A vivid globe trotter: Apart from his enthusiasm, interest and commitment to painting the Gods and God men, he was also known for his penchant for being a vivid globe trotter. He travelled extensively across the country not once but twice. In the course of his hectic journey, he found enough time to meet great personalities of the time. During his sojourns’ at multiple places, he happened to meet former President Dr S.Radhakrishnan, Deviprasad Choudhary, Jamini Roy, Nandlal Bose, KK Hebbar, MF Hussain, Kuvempu, Shivarama Karanth among many a other. In order to pursue his curiosity in the field he went on to visit landmark art museums, and galleries along with places like Ajanta and Ellora.



A stint with film industry: BKS Varma, apart from his journey in the art path also had a stint with the celluloid world, both in Bollywood and Sandalwood. He worked as an Associate Art Director for the famous Bollywood movie ‘Aadmi’ and Art Director for Bangarada Jinke, Ninagaagi Naanu, Raajeshwari and Chadurida Chitragalu Kannada films. He also worked as an artist for any number of publications including newspapers, periodicals and journals. Many old-timers’’ also remember him having painted the rocks in Hanumanthnagar.


An all-time record of painting 24 hours nonstop: On the face of it, it looks like he was too keen to make his presence felt in his own way. When his way of drawing on the stage performances became well known and he became a household name among all art lovers and connoisseurs’ he thought of something else, till then unheard or thought of. He in collaboration with another towering scholarly personality, Shathaavadhaani R Ganesh did a duet performance of poetry alongside painting for 24 hours nonstop thus creating an all-time record, which continues to remain so till date.


Paintings worldwide: His two paintings were selected for the Indian festival in Russia while he was invited by the Kuwait for the event ‘Art Formula’ at the Ambassador Bhavan to exhibit his works. During this trip, he was also invited by the King of Bahrain to exhibit his artworks at the Bahrain Arts Society for the event ‘Bahrain Peace 2000’. He also visited London and presented his art works at the ‘’Art ‘n’ Auction”-Eastern Arts. He also exhibited his works at the Nehru Centre in London.