With the attraction of the land chain by Manjunath Wali. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Once, there was an emperor, called Pulakeshin, who ruled a kingdom, which spread a huge attitude of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Called the Chalukya Empire, his dynasty began a golden era of civilization, art and culture.

It is no wonder that Badami, the capital of this rich center, has been a museum for many creative souls. Late artist JMS Mani made the city immortal with his Badami series, in which the landscape and his people were depicted in his everyday glory. Now, his disciple Manjunath Wali, a hyacinth, pays tribute to Mani with his single show The Elore of Land.

“I did not want the world to forget about Badami or JMS Mani after it passed; He immortalized it with his work. JMS (as he was said to be popularly) enjoyed catching the men and women of Badami at work. In the period after his passing in 2021, I felt that Badami’s memories had gone with him too, and that no one would no longer do a series at the place, “says Manjanath.

Manjunath Wali | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“With the attraction of the land, I am presenting the places of Badami Chalukya Empire. I wanted to work on a badi range of my own for a long time – it was a funded dream even before my Hampi series, but the time to execute it was never right. Now, my main objective was to bring back the focus to the abolition so that everyone would remember JMS. The show is dedicated to him and his memory, ”he says.

Cuisted by Sherly Matthew, the attraction of the land is not only a departure from the favorite palette of the earth tones of Manjannath, but also the temple in red sandstone is also from the general depiction of the city.

Manjunath recalled his first visit to Badami in 2006 after the completion of his art diploma, when he was enchanted by his broad expansion. And like any collection, he is ready to visit his time after time. Bangalore -based artist says, “I wanted to present the landscape in a blue palette because I started enjoying working with those colors.”

Made from memory, spirit and passion, Manjunath says that the magnificent panorama seen on 22 canvas on the performance may not really exist – this is an artist’s fictional depiction, which he keeps dear and as an artist’s eye Is seen from Artist says, “A lot of compositions are to make me,”

With the attraction of the land chain by Manjunath Wali. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Manjannath explained how Agastya Lake was designed by the rulers of the Chalukya Empire to ensure a stable source of water for the state. He said, “He saw the rain water so that it would fill the lake again.” The rulers carefully planned the layout of the city, so that its cave will become a center for culture, art and dance, in addition to the attraction of temples. He did not destroy nature to accommodate his thoughts. ,

“You can also see monkeys in my pictures. I added them as Badami, once called Vatapi known as a safe shelter for monkeys. “Badami’s climate creates a natural habitat for monkeys to flourish and they are still one of the tourist attractions of the place.

With the use of blue to catch the sky, shadow and silhouette as well as water and twilight, the artist shows how a primary color can bloom in a magical, multiple-splitted hue.

The attraction of land by artist Manjunath Wali is displayed till 16 February at MKF Museum of Art, Lavel Road. Entry free, closed on Monday.

With the attraction of the land chain by Manjunath Wali. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement