Suryakanth Nandur

This Foundation Project implemented by IFA will engage eighth grade students of the Government High School, in Pethsirur, Kalaburagi district, in making an illustrated book titled Chitra Samputa (A Picture Book) in the Surapura style of painting. The primary purpose of this project is to develop imaginative and artistic skills among students through the exploration of drawings and its applications to their language and social science curriculum. Suryakanth Nandur is the Coordinator for this project. 

Suryakanth Nandur is a Visual Arts Teacher from Kalaburagi, Kalaburagi district. He has a Masters in Visual Arts from Kalaburagi University. Given his experience he is best placed to be the Coordinator of this Foundation Project of IFA. 

The Surapura style of painting flourished under Raja Venkatappa Naika during 1773 to 1858, which is described as the golden age of Surapura. During this period artists from the Garudadri family practicing miniature painting migrated from Andhra Pradesh to Surapura (now in Yadgir district). Banaiah Garudadri was the artist who popularised this art form and trained many who mastered it. Surapura miniature art, recognised as one of the finest miniature art forms in India, is now facing extinction due to lack of institutional support and training. At present, these paintings can be found in the collection of artist Vijay Hagargundgi, the Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad and the art gallery of the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore.

This style of painting can be seen as an offshoot of the Vijayanagara style. It is considered close to the Mysore and Thanjavur style of painting because of the gesso strategy (applying primer to the canvas) and the gold leafs with semi-valuable stones. Since Garudadri was a court craftsman he needed to paint pictures as per the desires of the ruler. This is the reason we find numerous representations of the rulers, priests, subedars, and different officials of the court in these paintings. 

The main objective of this project is to enable children to read lessons and illustrate them in the Surapura painting style. In doing so, the project seeks to develop creativity and imagination and allows the children to innovate through transforming previous knowledge into new explorations. The biggest challenge in this art form is to remain focused throughout the process. It demands the highest level of concentration and applied skill. This project will also lead children to think critically and be able to analyse their own textbooks. It will also enable them to understand their local art and shape visual arts appreciation amongst them. 

The project encompasses a wide range of practical exercises in developing the children’s powers of observation, imagination, drawing, composition and technical skills. Given the rich landscape and historical background of Surapura, several field visits have been scheduled through the year. Efforts will be to facilitate students to enrich their visual sensibilities, which in turn would help them improve their concentration and build a new vocabulary for expression. The students will also have an opportunity to observe and study the methods and materials used by the artisans of the Surapura style.

The outcomes of the project will be an exhibition and a publication. The Project Coordinator’s deliverables to IFA with the final report will be the publication and photographs and video documentation of the entire project including the exhibition.

This project suitably addresses the framework of IFA’s Arts Education programme in the manner in which it attempts to connect students and schools to the cultural knowledge of the local communities they live in. 

IFA will ensure that the implementation of this project happens in a timely manner and funds expended are accounted for. IFA will also review the progress of the project at midterm and document it through an Implementation Memorandum. After the project is finished and all deliverables are submitted, IFA will put together a Final Evaluation to share with Trustees.