Udupi: A four-day national art camp, turned into a two-week artistic pilgrimage through some of Himachal Pradesh’s most breathtaking landscapes, ancient temples, monasteries and traditional art centres, leaving a group of Karnataka artists with sketchbooks full of memories and minds brimming with inspiration.Nearly 70 artists from across India, including seniors, emerging artists and students, gathered at the Parikrama, National Art Camp organised by the Art Motivation Team of Himachal Pradesh at the picturesque Parashar Lake in Mandi district. With Vivek Sharma as the art motivation team director, Karnataka was represented by artists Janardhan Rao Havanje, Santhosh Pai, Vinay Kumar, Vinuta Lasrado, Prateeksha, Ashlesh Bhat, Amruth and Varsha AJ.Artist Janardhan Rao Havanje said that located at an altitude of 2,730m, Parashar Lake offered the perfect canvas for creativity. Surrounded by lush meadows, dense forests and the snow-clad Dhauladhar mountain ranges, the serene lake-with its floating island and crystal-clear waters, became the artists’ open-air studio. “The venue itself was inspiring. Every direction offered a new composition waiting to be painted,” he said.Although the official camp was held from June 11 to 14, the Karnataka team extended their visit from June 8 to 20. Staying in tents where temperatures dipped to seven or eight degrees Celsius despite it being summer, the artists immersed themselves in the region’s culture, architecture, landscapes and people.“Their journey stretched far beyond the camp venue. We travelled through Manali and Rohtang Pass, setting up easels to paint valleys and mountain landscapes. Equally memorable were their spontaneous sketches of local residents, many of whom were delighted to receive the drawings as keepsakes, “ said Janardhan.The artists also explored the monasteries of Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, where they studied the intricate Tibetan Buddhist Thangka paintings and observed monks preserving centuries-old artistic traditions. Visits to museums in Kangra, the Himalayan Brew Tea Factory, Chamunda Devi Temple, Baijnath Temple, Barot Valley and the natural hot springs at Vashisht provided further opportunities to study local heritage, architecture, woodcraft and sculpture.Birdwatching expeditions introduced the group to the rich biodiversity of the region, including sightings of the Indian Paradise Flycatcher and several rare birds of prey.Havanje also presented a lecture on Karnataka’s traditional Kaavi Art, explaining the ongoing efforts to revive the centuries-old mural tradition. He encouraged young artists to look beyond experimentation for its own sake, and instead rediscover India’s rich but fading indigenous art forms. “The future of contemporary art can also lie in preserving traditional practices. There are so many local art forms waiting to be revived,” he told participants.Inspired by the experience, Havanje now plans to organise a similar national art camp in Udupi. The proposed camp will introduce artists from across the country to the unique cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka, combining art with experiences such as Yakshagana, kambala, temple architecture and other traditional practices.
