B. K. S. Varma

Bukkasagara Krishnaiah Srinivas Varma[2] (5 September 1948 – 6 February 2023)[3] was an Indian painter from Bangalore, whose subject was mainly environment and social issues presented in a surreal form. His depiction of Indian Gods has taken a new dimension. He also specialised in painting pictures in front of a large audience, in a short span of time, usually for poetry or dance.[4]

B. K. S. Varma
Varma in 2021
Born(1948-09-05)5 September 1948
Karnur, Attibele Taluk, Mysore State, India
Died6 February 2023(2023-02-06) (aged 74)
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India[1]
OccupationArtist
Years active1987–2023

Early life

Varma was born in 1948 at Karnur, Attibele Taluk, which is situated on 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.[6]

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.

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", Houston. He put forth "Kavya Chitra", over 30 performances at different cities in America.

2005 – A performance – "Geeta Kuncha" at Singapore by the Kannada Sangha.[7]

2010 – Biography published [8]

On the spot drawing

Varma specialised in paintings for specific topics given either in poetry or in dance form. He drew poetry of Shatavadhani Ganesh on topics suggested by audience.[9] He also drew paintings for subjects discussed on a stage.[10] He used a piece of rope as brush, mainly to finish quickly. He produced multiple paintings during a flute concert on 19 December 2006 and the paintings' subjects were depicted in the lyrics used by the flutists.[11]

Awards and recognition
  • 1986 - "State Lalitkala Academy Award" Karnataka Chitrakala Partishath
  • 2001 - Honoured by the Karnataka Government with the prestigious award "Karnataka Rajya Puruskar".[12]
  • 2001 - He received the Rajyothsava award[13]
  • 2011 - Honorary Doctorate by Bangalore University[14]

References
  1. "Dr B. K. S. Varma no more: ಮೇರು ಚಿತ್ರಕಲಾವಿದ ಡಾ.ಬಿ.ಕೆ.ಎಸ್.ವರ್ಮಾ ಅಸ್ತಂಗತ; ಇಂದು ಅಪರಾಹ್ನ 3ರಿಂದ ಸಂಜೆ 4.30ರ ತನಕ ಅಂತಿಮ ದರ್ಶನ".
  2. Badiger, Ashwini (6 February 2023). "Bengaluru: Noted Painter BKS Varma passes away". News Karnataka. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. BKS Varma: ಖ್ಯಾತ ಚಿತ್ರಕಲಾವಿದ ಬಿಕೆಎಸ್ ವರ್ಮಾ ಹೃದಯಾಘಾತದಿಂದ ನಿಧನ (in Kannada)
  4. "BKS Varma Paintings: ಕುಂಚದ ಮೂಲಕ ದೇವರನ್ನೇ ಧರೆಗಿಳಿಸಿದ ಖ್ಯಾತ ಕಲಾವಿದ ಬಿಕೆಎಸ್ ವರ್ಮಾ ಬಿಡಿಸಿದ ಅದ್ಭುತ ಚಿತ್ರಗಳು ಇಲ್ಲಿವೆ ನೋಡಿ". News18 Kannada (in Kannada). 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  5. "ಚಿತ್ರ ಕಲಾವಿದ ಬಿಕೆಎಸ್ ವರ್ಮ ನಿಧನ". Prajavani. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  6. 'ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ' ಸಿನಿಮಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವ 'ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ' ಫೋಟೋ ಕೂಡ ಇವರೇ ಬಿಡಿಸಿದ್ದು | Tour To Dr. B.K.S. Varma Studio, retrieved 6 February 2023
  7. 'ವೀರಪ್ಪನ್' ಜೊತೆ ಇದ್ದಾಗ 'ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರು' ಕಾಡಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಡ್ತಿದ್ದ ಹಾಡು ಯಾವುದಂತೆ ಗೊತ್ತಾ!? | Dr.BKS Varma Epi 7, retrieved 6 February 2023
  8. Moona, Suresh. "Abhinava Ravivarma BKS Varma". Sapna Book house,Bangalore. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  9. "Competitions, cultural programmes, mark Kala Utsav 2006". The Hindu. 19 December 2006. Archived from the original on 6 January 2007. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  10. "Orator and artist jugalbandi leaves audience spellbound". The Hindu. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  11. "When music inspired art". The Hindu. 20 December 2006. Archived from the original on 1 April 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  12. "Pride of Karnataka Awards presented | RITZ". 10 January 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  13. TNN (1 November 2001). "53 receive Rajyothsava awards". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 May 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2012.
  14. "BU honorary doctorate for Nisar Ahmed, B.K.S. Verma". The Hindu. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
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