MYSORE: Want to have a glimpse of the city's heritage buildings under one roof? Then visit Prathima Art Gallery at Ramsons Kala Prathistan (Opposite Zoo) which has on display watercolour paintings of heritage buildings and monuments in Mysore.

It was a special Sunday for art lovers in the city. Artist Shivakumar, hailing from Mandya exhibited more than 30 heritage paintings of monuments like the Mysore Palace, Doddagadiyara, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Kukkarahalli Lake, Nandi, Clock Tower, Railway Station, Jaganmohana Palace, Town Hall, archeological department building, University of Mysore Crawford Hall, Chamundi Hill, K R Circle area to name a few.

Speaking to The Times of India, he said, "I took nearly one year to complete the paintings. I used to spend hours together in front of each building to recreate the picture using watercolors. If the painting was not finished on the same day I used to come at the same time the next day to get the same light and mood".

He learnt the basic strokes from the Kalanikethana School of Arts, completing his six-year diploma course in painting. He has also made paintings on fish and nature and also on the old door series. The next project for Shiva Kumar is creating landscape paintings on old temples across Karnataka.

"The main intention of focusing on heritage buildings is to preserve the heritage of our society through paintings," pointed out Shiva Kumar. In all, Shiva Kumar's awe-inspiring work has made him one of the most influential historical painters.

Within no time the exhibits were purchased by Silent Shore, a resort in Hootagalli which gives importance to art and culture. Jayaram Patil who spoke on behalf of the Silent Shore said, the paintings are very attractive and talk about the heritage of the city. The artist's concern for heritage needs to be appreciated, said Patil.

There is no entry fee for the exhibition, the three-day exhibition will be open till March 2. The public can view the exhibition daily between 10 am to 7.30 pm.

Courtesy: Times of India