Why is art expensive?

Here is an interesting article on why artwork is expensive.My comments are marked in red...

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Suppose you see a painting for sale for $1890, and you think to yourself, “Good grief, that’s a lot of money. Why on earth does it cost so much?” Well, you've got to think of it in terms of what goes into producing such a thing.

Here’s an approximate breakdown of that $1890:

* Materials: canvas, primer, paint, frame supplies, and hardware: $200

This shows that the entire raw material supply system should also be changed to bring down the cost

* Overhead: Cost of tools, easel, computer, sketchbooks, camera, brushes, desk, chair, office supplies, file cabinets, shelving, rent or mortgage for studio space, phone, Internet, and utilities for studio, work truck for transporting art and materials, car insurance, gas, business licenses, taxes, etc., ad infinitum:  $250

Not much can be changed here

* Gallery

commission: 40%-50%. 40-50% margin is way too high. There should be a better way for art works to reach the person. Galleries are set up in high end areas. So rentals are very high. They have to charge this much amount to pay their rents and overhead costs.

* The artist's time - After I subtract the cost of materials and overhead from my cut of the sale ($940), this is what is left as payment for my time:

$500

So this is the real value of the artwork. Rest everything (excluding some component of the first one - materials) is over head. There should be a way to bring down this overhead. 

It takes on an avg, 20 hrs to do the painting. For this painting, I end up getting about $25/hour. To put that in perspective, graphic designers charge $60-$75, a good attorney or therapist may charge more than $100.

So, what is the core of the problem? I believe it is just selling only one artwork of a kind. So, every new artwork, he has to put all his effort again in creating it. Then again it will be expensive. And more over around 90% of art works won't be sold for an artist. So 10% should bear the cost of those 90% unsold artworks. Then why not duplicate and reduce the cost. This is where DAW comes into picture. We make multiple copies of the artworks and sell those at a lower price point. This way we increase the target market for artworks and thus sell many artworks (Without any time and effort of artist). This generates additional revenue for the artist. So, an artist is getting more than what he was earning initially.

Note: The core of the blog is taken from this article: http://www.articlesbase.com/visual-art-articles/why-art-is-expensive-704229.html

Economic principles behind Digital Art Works

What is Digital Art Works - Digital Art Works is into selling global art at affordable rates. This looks like a very simple concept till one finds out the underlying factors behind the launch of this seemingly simple concept.

Many (in fact every) products in the world go through a 4 stage life cycle - Niche & Status Symbol, Niche & Fashionable Item, Commodity & Fashionable Item, Pure Commodity, Death.Take any product and look at it through this 4 stage life cycle lens and you understand how a product moves in its life time. I will take a classic example of mobiles to explain it in the Indian context. 

In the late 90's having a Black & White bulky Nokia phone was considered a status symbol. Only the uber rich were able to afford it and rest others envy them for their mobile phone. Later on due to technology advances, cost came down and the product moves from Niche & Status to Niche & Fashionable Item. Now the upper middle class were able to afford this mobile phone and the mobile phone became wide prevalent. At this stage the uber rich moved to a new phone discarding this one. And then it became commodity & fashionable item. By then, it became accessible to even middle class and it became wide prevalent. Middle class started flaunting it among the fellow middle class people. After a few years, i guess by 2005, it became a pure commodity. Poor, old and 'I don't care how a mobile phone looks' people were the only ones using it. By 2009, it was discontinued and we hardly see that bulky Nokia phone in the market. 

This happens to every product. Even for cricket which is once hailed the rich man's sport. And cars - Before Ford invented Model T, cars were rich men thing. After Ford's Model T, it became a common man's thing. Even in India, it is now becoming a common man's thing. People like Henry Ford, Richard Branson envision the need for moving the product from Niche segment to mass segment and in the process revolutionize the entire industry. We are in a way now trying to emulate Henry Ford in the field of art.

There are some products which are always maintained as the rich man's object. Brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel ... they maintain their position by keeping the prices high and by maintaining artificial scarcity. With the current technology they can make LV a common man's bag but they don't. In fact, i heard few years back LV had put a condition that only one bag for one Japanese customer may be during Japan's roaring 80s. And the other one is natural resources. By nature, they are limited and thus their price is high. But also it is an open secret that DTC maintains artificial scarcity by stocking diamonds in its warehouses to maintain the price.

With this brief background, lets see how art is positioned in the market. Art is always maintained as mainly a rich man's thing by maintaining an artificial high price for the art work.  Nobody knows how the artwork is priced. Middle class envy those rich buying the art thinking they are sophisticated. Galleries are very uninviting for the normal person. But should art be only for rich. A thorough study revealed that art appreciation doesn't require richness and art can be a common man's thing. So effectively increase the supply of artwork and bring down the price of artwork. We explored ways to increase the supply and found one great solution (kudos to the technological advances). We thought we got the killer application and reached artists to get the artworks. But to our utter dismay, none of the artists seemed interested in our concept. They haven't given us the digital rights of the artworks. And upon exploration we realized that they are too deeply rooted into those preconceived notion that art should be sold expensive that they don't want to sell it cheap. We tried to convince them by showing the comparision between price and scale. Lower price can be compensated with higher scale. But few seemed convinced.

And also the marginal cost of selling a print for the artist is zero. He just creates the artwork and thats it. Where are his marginal revenue is very high. It also didn't seem to convince many artists. Of course, the fact that ours is a startup made them skeptical about this entire thing. But we wanted to prove them that this works and we are looking forward for a day when artists come to us and give us the artworks for the sale. 

There is a saying 'Nothing stops the idea whose time has come'. We believe the time has come for this idea and we want to make it happen...

Happy Ugadi

Digital Art Works wishes you all a very happy and prosperous Ugadi. May this new year brings loads and loads of happiness to all of you....

Digital Art Works Team

An event at HITEX

Dear All,

      Last weekend there was an event at HITEX, Hyderabad organized by IT/ITes Association of AP to showcase the start ups from Hyderabad. We had put up a demo stall to showcase our start up. We are very glad to inform you all that we received tremendous response for the demo stall. Unlike many stalls that had just put some computers and explained the concept, we had actually put the artworks (framed) and even sold the artworks to show them how this entire thing works. We had put up a Flash presentation explaining our concept in a Dell laptop and also a gallery showing our artworks in a MAC computer. This is the closest we are able to go to the real business. Some 7 people purchased artworks there and we got some 4-5 bulk order expression of interest. Many people who visited the stall liked the innovativeness of the concept. The beauty about this idea is that though the concept we are selling looks very simple, the thought process behind designing this concept is very complex. It involves all the economic principles present. I believe if this concept works, it creates a disruption in the art industry. We strive to make it work and we need all your support to make it work. 

Here are some pictures from the event -

Art as an investment

I, at times (infact many times) wonder how art got this tag "Investment Product" and why art is very expensive. I think it is the work of selected few in the medevial Europe that led to the current pitiful state of Art Industry. I strongly believe art is a common man's product. Art needs appreciation and artist needs recognition. A person who can appreciate art needn't be a rich person and a rich person needn't particularly like or appreciate art. But the current industry structure is so that only rich is able to purchase art and majority of that rich is purchasing art more for a status symbol than for anything else. My neighbour has it, I should have it!! - As simple as that. The galleries promote art saying it is an investment product. I again believe that art can never be a popular investment. Here are the reasons why:

1. Price Discovery: Every investment product requires price discovery. Price of that product should be same at any particular time in any particular region irrespective of person purchasing or buying it. This happens through a basic economic principle called 'Demand - Supply'. If demand outstrips supply, price increases and otherwise. But in the case of art, till date there is no mechanism for finding the value of art. Nobody is able to give me a convincing answer on price discovery of artwork. An artist looks at a person and quotes a price. If i come in Benz, his price will be high otherwise his price will be low. In this kind of situation, no investment product survives. Investment requires market mechanised price discovery which art lacks...

2. Liquidity:  Another major requirement for investment product is liquidity. Liquidity means how quickly one can purchase or sell the product. If i need money, i should be able to sell my investment product and raise money immediately and if i want to buy investment product, i should be able to buy it immediately. Stock, Real Estate, Bonds, Derivatives, Swaps, Futures - all are liquid products. But art is not. I can't just go to an exchange (in the first place there is no art exchange), sell art and get money. It is extremely illiquid. It takes years and years to get the artwork sold. 

3. Regulatory Body: Every investment product requires a regulatory body that puts rules and checks whether rules are well followed. In fact, all major investment products have regulatory bodies like SEBI. They ensure that trading is happening as per rules. But in the case of art, there is no regulatory body. I was surprised to hear from artists that art galleries facilitate price fixing. A body profiting from art sale is also regulating it!!!!!! Galleries form cartel it seems and fix the price of artist. So, they effectively increase the price of artist or his artwork artifically. It is not the inherent value of artwork, it is the gallery's greed to make money that is increasing the price of artworks. This is the biggest offence to be committed in an investment product class.  

4. Availability of information: An investment product requires free availability of information for people to make a decision. Companies, Governments all publish their financial information so that people can decide whether to buy that bond or stock or Real Estate. This helps in finding the true value of investment product. But in the case of art, information is very scarcely available. No artist publish his progress in career on a regular basis. The buyer should check out the artist progress and has to hard sell that information to another prospective buyer to make a sale.  

5. Steady stream of income: An investment product should ensure a steady stream of income to the investment product holder like say Dividends, Rentals, Interest....But art doesn't provide any steady stream of revenue for  the art holder. The art collector can't make money out of the artwork he has. It is just used to decorate the house.

6. Art for display: Finally, all other investment products are not for display. Like say, stocks, bonds and land - you can't use those to decorate the house where as art is used to decorate the house and display your aesthetic sense. So, art effectively is a consumer product that is somehow projected as an investment product. And this led the art industry into a huge rut. When you see a highly creative artist struggling to make ends meet, you understand how pitiful the state of industry is.. 

By all means, art is not an investment product as people projected it. Art can be considered an auction product. Scarcity of the work is the one that should increase the price like any other auction product (Gandhi spectacles, blue diamond).

Now who is losing because of that tag 'Art is an investment'. Rich people aren't as for them the amount paid is nothing. Middle class & upper middle class also aren't as they refrain from buying art. For them it is expensive. So ultimately it is the artist who is losing. A quick study at the situation of artists explain it clearly. Artists are effectively catering to 1% of the market (the rich and elite) out of which only 20% may buy art and that gets spread across many artists. An artist can sell a maximum of 10 artworks a year and can earn some 2  - 3 laks maximum per year. And he should keep on creating new works irrespective of whether those get sold or not. So, there is a huge dead inventory in an artist house. A 90% dead inventory is the worst situation in any industry. There should be a way to mobilize that dead inventory and monetize that. DAW is actually targeting that market and is trying to mobilize that dead inventory and monetize it while making artworks affordable to common man. 

I hope and sincerely wish artists understand my concept and encourage me that just think i am decreasing the value of their artworks (which i amn't doing as we are purchasing digital rights and these are very different from original rights).We are still facing a tough time as many artists are confined to this thought process of 'art as investment'. Some are getting convinced and many aren't. So, we aren't able to implement the concept exactly the way we wanted to at this point. I hope this one becomes success and artists understand that our true intention is to create additional revenue channel for them than just take their works for cheap and make money. 

Adios

Raja Sekhar

CEO

Digital Art Works

www.digitalartworks.in

Digital Art Works Launched

After 2 months of tiresome work, we finally brought Digital Art Works into a proper shape. I am highly satisfied with the way the application turned out. Today we got the payment gateway access and integrated it to the Digital Art Works website. Now t is a fully functional website except for some data we have to enter from the back end. We will be launching it officially on March 10th with a  press conference in Hyderabad. Till then we will be testing the product and also will be fine tuning the supply chain, marketing and operations part of it.

About DAW (Digital Art Works):

For those who don't know about DAW, here is a brief write up about the product. Stating it all in one line - 'Digital Art Works is into affordable global art'. When someone mentions art, the first that comes to our minds is that it is an esoteric product which is very expensive and which is only for rich people. But should it be so? An experience i had at CEIBS when my friend gifted me a piece of art costing around 1000/- proved it otherwise. I liked the work a lot and started asking myself this question. And the end result is the metamorphisation of Haofresh into Digital Art Works and shift from selling t-shirts with designs into selling just art pieces at an affordable price. We use a concept called 'Digital Rights' and 'Digital Reproduction' to bring down the cost of artworks so that even middle class can also afford it.

The journey till date was extremely tough for the entire Kriya Media team. The art industry is a well established niche industry catering to the rich and elite. And now we are kind of challenging that and many are raising up their defences against us. There is a preconceived notion that artwork should be expensive. We found it so hard to convince the artists that they can earn more by selling at a lower cost. For an artist, lowering down the price is like losing his self esteem. AND IT IS TRUE. Many artists are ready to forego income but aren't ready to lower the prices. I at times find it absurd and irrational but that is how the industry works. It is always the question of scale or price.

But history is replete with examples like this wherein a niche product is commoditised with immense success..A classic one being Cars - Before Henry Ford started Ford Motor Company, automobiles were always for the rich and elite..But Ford changed the way industry functioned. And then computers. Before DELL started selling through his Direct to dell model, IBM was selling at a very high price. Even this space tourism, Richard Branson is trying to bring it with in the reach of common man. Having set our aspirations against these previous cases, we are embarking on this journey to commoditize art. Hope , with all the God's grace, this works out well.

Adios

Raja Sekhar

CEO, Kriya Media.

DAW: Trend setter

Nilesh Kulkarni wanted to decorate his new home in Hyderabad and his search included celebrated names in the industry. He was in a desperate need of buying some art works for this pongal. He discussed with his wife and the duo decided to wait for sometime as they couldn't get what they wanted. Many people like Nilesh were on the lookout for more appealing master pieces.

The wait for quality images is over with the setting up of Digital Art Works. Digital Artworks devotes time, effort and intuition of every artist at the same level. Digital Artworks is the product of Kriya Media Solutions, a budding global digital media company. DAW is committed to see that no single artist is denied access to showcase his aesthetic sense for want of resources. DAW engages in constant research on painting themes, artists' galleries, painting styles and related information. It is DAW's endeavor to serve the artists and public who have inclination for artworks and creative styles in depicting core ideas of this magnificent nature.

What can an artist expect from DAW?

DAW put designs and paintings selected from various artists on our web page. Based on the quality and intensity of the expressionism, naturalism and realism (other modes are rare) they get ratings from users. Once the due date closes, ratings and comments given to the artworks  are evaluated and the best master piece will be chosen. The owner of the master piece gets the reward.

What can people expect from DAW?

Digital Art Works team works full time in getting top quality pictures for minimum prices. No other group is able to find this mechanism till date. DAW team leaves no stone unturned for searching valuable information and for creating awareness amongst the commoners. Digital Artworks is started with a vision to accommodate every naturally gifted artist to have his own class in the field of artworks creations. DAW is firm about creating level playing field for each and every artist class. It is our policy to see that every single intellectual drop behind every creation, small or big, rich or economic class, general interest or abnormally intuitive, is given its due.

DAW conducts seminars, workshops on promoting congenial environment for artists and publish the same on our site. DAW team attracts designs and master pieces to put them for rating where in top rated designs get their reward. HR people at DAW visit art galleries and try to unleash the artist's mind. The T-shirt division identifies current market trends and gives best input on creating T-shirts and making it big in that industry too.

Anyone who thinks he is naturally gifted can directly approach the organization. DAW welcomes every enthusiast to go and search our blogs and designer interviews, rating and pricing of artworks, and solicit visitors valuable feedback. There are many interesting things on the site. Videos, Photos, designer interviews etc,. are provided for creating interest.

Now that the wait is over with the onset of online community on digital arts, Nilesh and his wife are a happy lot as they are inch closer to decorating their new home with different painting themes and styles. DAW is set to create new trends, thanks to the innovators!

"It is a poor country, it is tough for an artist to live.": Subhash Babu Ravuri

Mr. Babu had studied in the College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad. He was also awarded the reputed State Lalita Kala Akademi scholarship (1968-1970), to specialize in Mural Painting under the world renowned Prof. K.G. Subrahmanayam, at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S University, Baroda.

Mr. Subhash Babu has participated in many group shows of Hyderabad artists in several capital cities of India; held several One-Man-Shows of his works; participated in any Artists' Camps. His paintings have also been exhibited in U.S.A during the World Telugu Festival in 1998. He has also worked as Associate Art Director in many movies under Mr. Rama Naidu, like 'Ranga Kala' and 'Harivillu Rainbow' to name a few.

Excerpts from the Interview given to Hyderabad Public School......

Sir, you have taught thousands of students in our school, and have exposed all of them to so many facets of art, what inspired you to become an artist?

My father was my inspiration. My father, Mr. Nagabhushana Chari, was an artist who also taught Art at the ZPHS in Guntur District. His compositions, free hand drawings and his designs fascinated me. While I was very young-in class 5 and 6, I'd watch him painting for hours. My father was my main inspiration.

Who introduced you formally to art?

Actually, I was totally unaware of the existence of a fine arts college. It happened unexpectedly. My father met one of his old students in a bus and learned about the Fine Arts College. That is how it happened-like magic. (Smiles)

What was the state of Art in the Hyderabad Public School when you joined in 1970?

The students were very good, creative and had great potential. That time we had the opportunity to teach individually. All the students were very co-operative. But Mr. Ramulu and I used to divide the students to give better attention. The state of Art was very good.

What is the position of our school in Art as compared to other schools?

Definitely, we are far better that other schools. Why is this so? Because, our students have a more creative mentality, the school is providing excellent facilities like water and oil colour, which is also expensive. When other schools find it tough to buy books, where can they be able to provide canvas, oil and water colours? We have a large Art room. Other schools would divide that area into 2 to 3 classrooms. We also encourage very greatly, creativity in a student.

What influenced you to design the Sand Casting Mural of the Buddha outside the Art room?

There are fish, elephants, flowers, leaves, the face of the Buddha in the centre, and the universe, i.e, the chakram which, is the symbol of time. The Art room is like a holy place, like a temple, where our young artists can get peace and happiness by discovering and using their creative powers. In one whole picture, the definition of Art, and its advantages can be shown to the students.

When did you sculpt it?

In 1984, during Mr.Dutt's time, and he provided lots of encouragement. Mr.Purohit and Mr. Bose also encouraged me a lot. Sir, please tell us about the sculptures at the Basalat Jah Stadium. There was an inter school sports meet during Mr.Purohit's time and the sculptures were made in a record 1 ½ months, we worked day and night, even till 3 in the morning! After coming from sculpting, I would take rest, get ready, have breakfast and go for taking classes. During this period, I never missed my classes. After 3 in the afternoon, I would return to sculpting. Mr. Purohit was astonished seeing the work done in 1 ½ months. At that time, Mr.C.M.B.Yadav, was both Physical Director and Estate Manager. He helped me a lot. It was a part of beautifying our environment.

What is your message to the students of HPS in relation to Art?

The student should continue to paint, through whatever they like, oil, water, pencil sketches etc. Even If you are not good, you should keep trying, for it is your creativity that gets enhanced. This should not be ignored just because it is not counted in examinations. Through examinations, you get to know your results after one year, whereas, in Art, in 1 or 2 weeks, when you complete your painting, you get immense pleasure, a sense of accomplishment. It also increases your concentration and confidence-confidence in your work. It will help you improve in your studies, it will help you in reaching your goal an destination in life.

What improvements should be made in the Art Department of our school?

* 1 ½ hour continuously classes, once a week should be brought back, because the thought flow gets hindered if a student paints in breaks.

* A lot of colours don't get wasted because, if Art is taught in short spells, the students' mind becomes erratic and it is shown in the painting.

* In the long term, clay modelling and sculpture should be started again, though a separate room should be provided.

* The Management should show more importance to Art, and not discount it as unimportant because it is a subject that is not marked.

* It should be respected more because it enhances the creative abilities of the child.

* Section wise Art competitions should be held to trace out the talented students. Our school should not be satisfied because it is the beast at Art in Hyderabad, but should internally, keep improving the quality of the students to a national level. Students should participate in more competitions.

In the present, in society, what do you feel about the position of Art?

In India the respect for Art is low. It is a poor country, it is tough for an artist to live. Some people hang paintings in their house for decoration but don't buy it for its real value. This is a good sign. After buying and seeing it in the house, they get accustomed to the painting or sculpture, they then get to understand and observe the texture, depth, colour scheme and the moods, and feelings of the artist. After observing this, they get to enjoy the painting.

Subhash Babu's life Part 3

Career as an artist took a back seat as Subhash Babu had to concentrate on teaching role and a little time left for him to think over his artistic elegance. He wasn't able to fulfill his mission of achieving quality and precision while in school. He taught school boys under 15 the basics of nature study, composition, object drawing and linocut and wood cut printing. He managed to copy Ajanta paintings under the guidance of Vidyabhushan and implemented it on 6'x12' canvas. The very painting series was adorned in the HPS Assembly Hall. His creativity amused everyone as he gave life to "Garden in the School", "School children playing", Wood cut printings drawn with eight colors, "Beggars", "Farmer's family", "the well", to name a few. Lalita Kala Akademi honored him in 1978 for his marvelous wood cut artwork. It's no surprise that his "farmer's family" garlanded Salar Jhung Museum too.

Thota Vaikuntam, another celebrated artist, says he could find only one artist who can make wood cut printing with such promise and it was none other than Subhash Babu. Many wonder how he could leave the profession that offered much promise.

'True, it would have been something else had I continued in the same art of woodcut printing. There was a great encouragement and support from a doyen like Lakshma Goud. In 1981 when I exhibited the one man show, a second time, my woodcut printing was more attractive than the Jaipur Fresco, Italian Fresco and wooden pieces masks. The street scene I carved in woodcut was quite exciting to many visitors. The walls that rose between the poor and rich, the gates fixed in between them are bound to fall. That was what I suggested in them. Anyhow the woodcut work is a strenuous work, which takes days and months. There is no possibility for miniatures in them...” says Subhash Babu.

The unfortunate arrest during the dark days of emergency deeply wounded Subhash Babu both physically and mentally. He was worried about the future of his kids. He received a jolt in 1978 in the form of demise of his guide and philosopher, and his beloved father, Sri Nagabhushanachary,. His aunt who extended a great support in looking after the family also passed away a little later. He was left alone to take up the responsibility of the entire family. It was during this period that the picture of America being made after war was drawn by him earned him bread and butter.

Subhash Babu creates opportunities to the art itself and it was a blessing in disguise for thousands of youngsters who were trained under his master brain.

India at 60th Republic Day

Digital Artworks wishes everyone a happy and jubilant Republic Day. Here is some information which DAW feels worth sharing with every Indian concerned.

The month of January creates an aura of patriotism as Republic Day of India falls in this month. It was on 26th January, 1950 that Republic of India was formed and the Constitution of India came into force. Republic Day reminds us of the fulfillment of the pledge that was made on the midnight of Independence as a "tryst with destiny".

This day also marks the recognition that we Indians thrive in a sovereign, secular, and democratic land that stands for the principles of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, the golden words that form the essence of our Preamble.

The Spirit of Republic Day

The real spirit behind such a grand celebration is not only to celebrate India's secularism and democracy but also to make every Indian feel proud of our rich culture, languages, dialects, traditions, customs and religions that makes India a marvelous mutti-cultural country. Let's all come together and feel proud, identify ourselves as true Indians, and not to a particular religion or caste. Let's take a pledge deep inside our hearts to promote one feeling, one religion and one thought: of Being a true Indian.

Jubilation

Republic Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm throughout the country. The patriotic fervor of every Indian on this day brings the whole country united. Republic Day is celebrated all over the country at all the administrative units like the capital cities, district headquarters, sub divisions, talukas, and panchayats with the same enthuse and vibe.

To honour the occasion, a grand celebration is held at New Delhi, the national capital. The celebrations begin with spectacular presentation projecting India's military prowess. The President of India - External website that opens in a new window unfurls the National Flag, followed by the National Anthem. The different regiments of Army, Navy and Air Force march in-synchrony from Rashtrapati Bhavan, along the Rajpath and reach the India Gate saluting the President of India, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.

This is followed by a massive parade by other military troops including State Regiments and Paramilitary Forces of India. A spectacular presentation from different parts of the country representing different folk dances, festivals, historical locations is displayed next. Children from various schools present folk dances from different States in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India. Cultural events and traditional folk dances create an ambience of merriment and enthusiasm. Soldiers who have performed exceptionally are awarded the bravery medals, Param Veer Chakra, Veer Chakra and Maha Veer Chakra. National Bravery Awards are given to children who have performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice. A streak of jet planes of Indian Air Force; leave a trial of coloured smoke, showering rose petals on the spectators marking the end of the grand day.

Beating the Retreat

Beating The Retreat officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities. All important Government Buildings are beautifully decorated with lights every evening from 26th to 29th. Beating the Retreat ceremony is conducted on the evening of January 29, the third day after the Republic Day. The ceremony starts by the massed bands of the three services marching in unison, playing popular marching tunes.

The drummers also give a solo performance (known as the Drummer's Call). Followed by this the drummers play Abide With Me (which is also said to be GandhiJi's favourite) and the chimes made by the tubular bells, placed quite at a distance, create a mesmerising ambience.

This is followed by the bugle call for Retreat, the band master then marches to the President and requests permission to take the bands away, and informs that the closing ceremony is now complete. The bands march back playing a popular martial tune Saare Jahan Se Achcha.

At exactly 6 pm, the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag is lowered, and the National Anthem is sung, bringing the Republic Day celebrations to a formal end.

 

Subhash Babu's life part2

The City hood:

Subhash Babu was awe-struck by the spectacle of the buzz in the magnificent buildings touching the sky. He was stunned by the sight of splendor amid squalor. It was a medley of feelings experiences which he could unravel only with the passage of time. The time during 1963 to 1968 proved very productive for him as a student of art. He learnt the finer nuances of the art of painting with great dedication and diligence. He studied the seemingly enigmatic aspects of painting with utmost passion and perseverance. To the mad lines which he drew till that day, he added systematic science.

By the time he came to the city he was just 17 years aged. Sure enough, he was not the first of those who came down to win over Hyderabad all alone. Except Telugu, he did not know any other language. He knew neither English, Hindi nor Urdu. Initially, he was seized by an entire lot of problems - like Mini Rickshaws, Irani Tea and bread are but a few among them. Slowly, things started changing and the city took him into its fold. The contrasting pictures of the cityscape - ancient mansions and poverty of people which puzzled him once, had slowly started sinking in. He began to love the city.

Subash Babu recalls: "During the days of study, it was revered Vasudevakapatral who kindled the keen interest in me about 'line' and that has been useful for me even today. K.K. Hebbar who was chairman of Central Lalitha Kala Academy used to visit Vidyabhushanji frequently. I and Narappa used to copy Ajanta paintings in egg tempera medium in the evening from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Vidyabhushanji used to pay us a remuneration of Rs.1007- per month. In 1965 on the recommendation of Vidyabhushan, a reward of Rs.1007- presented by Nawab Mehdi Nawab Jung (Education Minister in the Court of Seventh Nizam) was a matter of great joy for us. We were elated as if we got a treasure-trove. Hebbarji taught us many tips about the line. I learned only from him the knack of drawing figures in simple lines.

Although he had come to terms with the city, the beauty of the rural side still lingered in his fond memories. The lovely sight of the villages kept leaping out again and again from the hidden corners in his mindscape. The images included herds of cattle and sheep grazing in the fields, farmers carrying ploughs over the shoulders and womenfolk carrying lunchboxes over the heads. He wondered how contrasting a picture the city offered. Congested lanes... Beggars all over with hungry looks... Street-urchins begging for alms.... They constituted now the objects of his painting. He used to go to the town and watch all the movies in the theatres around right from the morning till night. Of course, he could not miss a film with NTR as hero for anything. If there was a new film, he had to watch it the very first day it was exhibited.

The A. P. Lalita Kala Academy encouraged the artists by granting scholarships for their higher studies. For a period of two years the academy granted Rs.250/- per month for his higher studies at the Baroda M.S. University. He underwent training in murals under Prof. K.G. Subrahmanyam. He began to experiment in Jaipur Fresco, Italian Fresco sand casting, Terracota pictures alongside making masks of bamboo pieces. He picked up the threads of the lino cut and woodcut drawings with the inspiration from Lakshma Goud's works to a large extent. He was offered job and married his maternal uncle's daughter Hemalatha.The year 1970 was significant for him because the A.P Lalita Kala Academy honored him with an award for his 'Self Portrait' in water colours. All those heartening events happened one after the other as if ordained by some divine force and filled him with great elation.

Subhash Babu's life part1

Subhash Babu Ravuri creates images on nature and women. Realism portrayal is his passion. The paintings are based on his core idea of enhancing creativity through art. He says excellence is a continuous journey and not a destination. He keeps on probing his inner abilities as an artist.

His marvels include Sand casting mural of Buddha, "beauty inside nature" series where feelings of women are depicted as manifestations of nature. His drawings take shape through lines and curves which give crystal clear definition of what's on display. Subhash Babu is not just an artist but also a great thinker. He held various positions, such as Vice president, Secretary, and other key positions at Hyderabad Art Society. Subhash is probably the only one who ignored his personal niceties for the sake of Art.

Digital Artworks brings you a series of information on SUBHASH BABU. Here is Part1

Subhash Babu had an awesome childhood in his native village Brahmanakodur, also the home town of celebrated painter and art director, Gokhale. Subhash Babu had everything in his child to play for. The only thing he would want to forget was his mother's departure from this world in 1978. The towering chariot that stood before the temple, the seven 'kalashas' atop the temple, and a lot of other things were firmly engraved in his mind. His association with the village was so imminent that he could still remind the Buckingham Canal, where his father Nagabhushanachary made him to swim by keeping his hands under the boy's belly. The fun and frolic he had with other mates too was part of his pleasant memories during childhood.

Subhash Babu's father had everything to pat for as he took a lot of care to see that the small boy's mind would never traverse around lost mother. Babu's father had to marry another woman who sang melodiously. Subhash Babu had some tough time adjusting to new guardianship.

The visuals of chairs, tables, benches, vessels and their shadows in the books kept by his father had taken shape on the paper and thrilled him. He completed his high school education at Pacchalatadiparru. The days he used to go for swimming in the canal between Tadiparru and Doppalapudi to collect lotus flowers, the days he went up the towering palm trees for palm fruits the kernels of which he relished slo were part of his fond memories.

The memories of those foregone childhood adventures in the lap of nature are safely settled in the mind. He savoured the beauty of the thickly grown flower trees and the changing colours of the sky. He could hear the flowers groan as they fell on the ground swept off by the brisk breeze. He could only sympathize with them. He could here and enjoy the nature's serenade in its pristine glory.

His father, as a drawing teacher has a profound influence on Subhash Babu. "He was a true Gandhian. He vehemently opposed the evils of caste system and the practice of one embracing profession as dictated by caste. He took part in the freedom movement and propagated against untouchability in the villages. He practically dined with the untouchables sitting next to them. No amount of dissuading by his aunt did change him for his chosen beliefs and pursuits. He discarded the sacred religious thread around his neck. He refused perform any of the religious ceremonies" says Subhash Babu. The progressive thinking and actions of his father made Subhash feel proud.

The life and precepts of Lord Buddha have also been a great guiding force through out the life of Subhash Babu. While he was working in Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet, he created a sand-casting mural in front of the art department. A similar mural is to be found in courtyard of the house of Jaswantha Rao, a collecter of paintings.
  

The fairs and festivals celebrated in villages held a great charm for Subhash Babu right from his childhood.  The Jaipur Fresco painted on a big canvas (24' x 2') adorns the Library Hall of Hyderabad Public School.

As if providential one day Subhash Babu chanced to meet up Saidayya in a bus and the two engaged in a conversation and learnt that there was a college for fine arts. He later applied and secured the admission. Says Subhash Babu, "It was a dream come true".

Pongal Greetings from kriya Media

Kriya Media Solutions extends heartfelt wishes to its visitors! May everyone be blessed with robust health and wealth of joy!

Pongal is a three day-long harvest festival celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, largest and surplus state in South India. It is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety in Tamilnadu too. The "Pongal "(traditional name in Tamilnadu) usually starts with the onset of picking up fruitful crops. For as long as there is gathering of food and planting, there is some form of harvest festival. Known as "Sankranti" amongst Telugu people and "Pongal" amongst Tamil ranks , it is by and large the biggest festival of the year. The word "Pongal" is considered one sort of thanks giving to the nature and holds another term "to boil". This festival of "harvest" is annually held during mid-January. People, after having amassed wealth from a good harvest, purchase a range of goods and clothes and decorate their homes with colorful articles.

In Andhra, the essence of the festival could actually be seen at the Sandadi where the chiming bells of the tastefully decorated ‘gangireddulu’ and the Gangireddulavallu in their traditional attire, the melodious music from the naadaswaram, pathways decorated with rangoli, would add color to the bash. The Gangireddullavallu and Harmfulness would enthrall the visitors during all the three days- Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma.

The harvest festival usually falls on 14th or 15th of January and is distinctively the "Telugu festival". The first day is celebrated as Bhogi festival in the honor of Lord Indra, the supreme ruler of clouds who blesses people with rains. A ritual called, "Bhogi Mantalu" is observed on this day, usually on 13th, when useless stuff and others are thrown into a fire made of wood and cow-dung cakes. The significance of the bonfire is not clearly known but one has to arrive at least at one point. It is meant to expel bad nature in human life style and dismantle impurities. Needless to say that firewood is to keep warm during the last lap of winter.

On the second day of Pongal, the puja or act of ceremonial worship is performed when rice is boiled in milk outdoors in an earthenware pot and is then symbolically offered to the sun-god along with other oblations. All people wear traditional dress and markings. People pay homage to the passed away elders of the family and offer milk porridge and other food items. In the evenings, children and women wear newly bought dresses and celebrate till late night.

The third day is known as Kanuma Pongal day. In Tamilnadu women perform this ritual before bathing in the morning. All the women, young and old, of the house assemble in the courtyard. The rice is placed in the centre of the leaf, while the women ask that the house and family of their brothers should prosper.

Kriya Media is happy to share some of those moments with the readers.   

Bairu Raghuram: a rarety

Digital Artworks visited an art gallery run by Bairu Raghuram, a revered artist, who designed many a artworks with his accuracy in etching. Raghuram made every attempt to shiw to the world the pratices, rural living standards, and beliefs of rural Telangana.

Bairu Raghuram is one of his kind the Indian art community has ever seen. Raghuram tries to craft pictures based on nature where woman, streets, plants and other living and non living objects fall in. His seemingly orthodox approach in creating master pieces offers much more than what one really comprehends. His portrayal of 'eyes' in every artwork is a calming retreat to viewers. His penchant for depicting nature to reflect human and object forms testimonies part of creativity he is imbibed with. Raghuram's engravings echo the Telangana lifestyle and particularly rural traditional practices and beliefs. His artworks, "woman sitting with a goat", "rural house order with a cock on the wall", "environment", tells how deep his observation is and testimonies his stylization. He is now on a mission to spread naturalism in a versatile manner.

Raghuram was born in 1949 at Hyderabad and was educated in Gulburga,Karnataka with a B.A.and a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from I F A I ,Gulburga, Karnataka.

Raghuram is the recipient of many awards, including Gold medal from Hyderabad Art Society, National Academy Award (Honorable Mention)

Some of the revered artist's achievements:

Group Shows:
1977, 81, 84, : Gulbarga, Visakhapatnam, New Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad.
93 and 96


One Man Shows:
1991 : Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay (Financial Assistance by Telugu University), Hyderabad.

1993 : Alliance francaise art gallery, Hyderabad.
1996 : Jehangir Art Gallery


Professional Career:
Worked as freelance artist and contributed illustrations and cover page paintings in weekly and monthly magazines and various educational books.


Participation:
1985,6,97 : National Art Exhibition
1985 : Artists' conference New Delhi
1985 : Graphic art in India since 1850: Catalog published by LKA New Delhi.
1987,92 : Regional Art Exhibition, Lalith Kala Academy, Madras.
1987 : American Video Festival in India organized by U.S.I.S. Madras, and   Doordarshan Kendra Kendra Hyderabad.

1989,91 : I.F.A.C.S.Exhibition, New Delhi.
1990 : Art in India conference New Delhi.
1990 & '95 : Invitee all India drawing and graphic exhibition, Gulbarga.
1990 : All India Art Exhibition.
1991, 95 : International biennial of prints, Bharath Bhavan, Bhopal.
1991,94 : Rashtriya Kala Mela Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta.
1992 : All India miniature formal, Gulbarga, Karnataka
1993 : Prints today, Lalith Kala Akademi, Bangalore
1994 : Exhibition of paintings, organized by Bharath Bhavan, Bhopal(Earth quake relief fund)

1996 : All India Art Exhibition(125 Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi) L.K.A., UP., Lucknow.

1997 : 8th All India Art Exhibition LKA, UP, Lucknow.


Camps:
1984 : Graphic Workshop organized by A.P. Lalith Kala Academy, Hyderabad.
1984 : Print making workshop sponsored by U.S.I.S. Madras and C FA, Hyderabad conducted by Prof. Paul Lingren at AP Lalith Kala Academy, Hyderabad.

1989 : All India graphic camp organized by I.F.A.I Gulbarga, Karnataka.
1992 : Graphic camp organized by alliance francaise and C FA, Hyderabad.
1993 : Graphic camp organized by Lalith Kala Akademi, Regional Center, Madras
1994 : All India Painters Camp, Bijapur, Karnataka.
1996 : All India Painters Camp, Madhapur, Hyderabad, sponsored by Surabhi educational society.

1996 : Traditional painting camp organized by S.C.Z.C.C., Nagpur.
1996 : All India traditional painting camp organized by S.C.Z.C.C., Thanjavure.


Awards:
1981 & '85 : Bharat Kala Parishad, AP, Hyderabad.
1983, 87, : Hyderabad Art society, A.P., Hyderabad.
88, 93

1987 & '89 : Best Award (87) Lalith Kala Samithi, AP.
1994 : Creative Akademi of Arts, AP
1996 : Gold Medal, Hyderabad Art Society
1997 : National Academy Award (Honorable Mention)


Collections:


* The Ideal Fine Art Institute Gulbarga, Karnataka
* Lalith Kala Akademi New Delhi
* Lalith Kala Akademi
* Regional Center Madras
* Lalitha Kala Akademi AP, Hyderabad.
* Telugu University, AP, Hyderabad.
* Lalitha Kala Samithi, AP
* W.S. Hughes, Director, Hallburton Oilfield Services India Ltd,. Bombay.
* Alliance Francaise, Hyderabad.
* Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal
* Franco Indian Pharmaceuticals Ltd,. Mumbai.
* I.T.C. Tobacco, Secunderabad
* U.P. State Lalit Kala Akademi, Lucknow.

Victoria Capital Ventares Ltd,. Mumbai and many other private collections in India and abroad(UK, USA, France, Switzerland, Germany and Canada.

Subhash Babu: Artist for Realism

Mr. Subhash Babu had studied in the College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad. He was also awarded the reputed State Lalita Kala Akademi scholarship (1968-1970), to specialize in mural painting under the renowned Prof. K.G. Subrahmanayam, at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S University, Baroda. Subhash Babu retired as a drawing teacher and continued to weave his passion for creating arts. He was a great teacher of nature study and taught linocut and woodcut printing to school children.

Subhash Babu Ravuri creates images on nature and women. Realism portrayal is his passion. The paintings are based on his core idea of enhancing creativity through art. He says excellence is a continuous journey and not a destination. He keeps on probing his inner abilities as an artist. His signature on a painting is treated almost like a feather in the cap and is of immense value. Over the years, he received many awards and accolades. It is not an award or reward that fuels his zeal but his quest for excellence. A great artist. A great teacher. He is rated as one amongst very few naturalism and realism artists.

The fact that his paintings are sold for as much as thirty thousand in Indian Currency despite his own observation that artistic sense lacks in Indian community says the potential inroads story. He doesn't want to picture abstract themes though he acknowledges the mental labor behind the creation. For the same reason, he commands respect even from his counterparts and holds a place of his own in the big league of renowned artists. "There is a very few set of people who have real respect for Art and understand its value", quips Subhash Babu. His main source of inspiration was his father who also used to teach Art at Government school.

His marvels include Sand casting mural of Buddha, "beauty inside nature" series where feelings of women are depicted as manifestations of nature. His drawings take shape through lines and curves which give crystal clear definition of what's on display. Subhash Babu is not just an artist but also a great thinker. This ability gave him opportunities in successfully undertaking filmy projects as well. Subhash's mural paintings enthralled even the Police during emergency period when they knocked on his door one mid night as part of mass arrests. Subhash Babu observes off the record that he enjoyed and enticed people with his art besides experiencing turmoil in some aspects and he never forgets the pain he was subjected to during emergency period. We take any aspect. He is there to showcase his dormant faculties. He held various positions, such as Vice president, Secretary, and other key positions at Hyderabad Art Society. Subhash is probably the only one who ignored his personal niceties for the sake of Art.