B. K. S. Varma
Dr.B.K.S. Varma is a painter from Bangalore, India, whose subject is mainly environment and social issues presented in a surreal form. His depiction of Indian Gods has taken a new dimension. He also specializes in painting pictures in front of a large audience, in a short span of time, usually for poetry or dance.
Dr.B.K.S.Varma was born in 1949 at Karnur, Attibele Taluk, which is situated in the outskirts of Bengaluru, Karnataka. He began sketching as a hobby at the age of six. His mother Smt. Jayalakshmi was an artist herself, his father Sri. Krishnamacharya was a musician. 1962 -68 – Varma was trained for painting and sculpture by Guru Sri. A.N Subbarao at Kalamandir, Bangalore and by Sri.A.C.H. Acharya a sculptor from Devenahalli.
1964 - 67 – Joined Kalamandir School of art. Travelled all over India twice and met a lot of eminent people which included Dr Radakrishna (ex.president of India), Deviprasad Roy Choudry, Jamini Roy, Nandal Bose, KK Hebbar, MF Hussien, Panikar, Rashtra Kavi Kuvempu, Shivarama Karanth and many others. During his travel across India he visited Ajanta, Ellora and many art museums and galleries to gain more knowledge and experience in the field.
1967 – Worked as an associate art director for the Bollywood movie “Aadmi”. During the same time he painted the rocks in Hanumanth Nagar, Bengaluru (inspired by his visit to Ajanta) 1967-73 – He served as an artist for a number of journals and newspapers.
1977-1979 – He worked as an art director for Kannada movies “Banngarada Jinke”, “Ninagagi Naanu”, “Rajeshwari”, “Chadurida Chitragalu” etc.
1986 – He held a show of works on a series of Environmental Paintings at the Karnataka Chitrakala Partishath which was inaugurated by Dr. Roerich and Devikarani. Around the same time he was honored with the “State Lalitkala Academy Award”
1987 – An art exhibition was organized at the time of Mysore Dasara by the Lalitkala Pradarshana and he was honored with “Athi Uttama Kala Kruthi Award”
1988 – Two of his paintings were selected for Indian Festival at the Russia Utsav.
1990 – Collaborated with Dr. Shathaavadhaani.R.Ganesh in a performance – “Kavya Chitra” (a duet of poetry alongside painting) for 24 hours nonstop creating an all-time record.
1997 – He was invited by the Kuwait, for the event “Art Formula” at the Ambassador Bhavan wherein he exhibited his art works. During the same time he was also invited by the Bahrain King – Bin Kalifa, to exhibit his art works at the Bahrain Arts Society for the event “Bahrain Peace 2000”.
1999 – He travelled to London and presented his art works at the “Art ‘n’ Auction” - Eastern Arts. He also exhibited his works at the “Nehru Centre”, London.
2000 – Was selected by the Karnataka Government to be a part of the “Vishwa Kannada Sammelana”, Huston. He put forth “Kavya Chitra”, over 30 performances at different cities in America.
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