Hassan, June 30: Recognized as a global icon in the art world, Karnataka’s pride and international artist K.T. Shivaprasad, who blended rural elegance with modern art, has passed away.
K.T. Shivaprasad, who was suffering from ill health, breathed his last today (June 30) at a private hospital in Bengaluru without receiving effective treatment. The demise of this rare talent, who was the voice of the grassroots and farmers and created a revolution through art, has brought an end to a golden chapter in the Indian art scene.
Born in 1947 in a poor farming family in Madikeri (Markara) taluk of Kodagu, Shivaprasad had an interest in painting since childhood. But since painting was not very appreciated at that time, he had to join an engineering college as per his family’s wishes. But due to his indomitable passion for art, he left his engineering studies halfway and joined the prestigious ‘Sir J.J. School of Art’ in Mumbai, where he obtained a diploma in painting in 1973.
Later, he did not just become a sitting artist, but was actively involved in the struggle for the empowerment of the exploited and poor agricultural workers of Karnataka through socialist, Dalit and farmer organizations for a long time. His social concern also blossomed in his artworks.
National and International Recognition
Sivaprasad’s paintings have received national and international recognition. K.T. Shivaprasad, who was compared to the great modernist Lucian Freud of Britain, has received immense praise in the country and abroad. Due to his short experience in engineering, he was also recognized as an excellent photographer and architectural consultant.
Since 1976, he has had several solo exhibitions in Bangalore, Mysore, Mumbai and New Delhi. His art exhibitions at the Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai, Sakshi Gallery in Chennai and Art Today in New Delhi have won the hearts of art lovers. His works have also been exhibited at the Bhopal Biennale (1988), the Bombay Art Society Centenary Exhibition (1989) and the Hong Kong Galleries (1996). He also participated in the Contemporary Indian Artists Exhibition held at the Jehangir Art Gallery in 1996.
In recognition of his contribution to the art world, the Government of Karnataka honored him with the prestigious ‘Karnataka Rajyotsava Award’ in 2001.