Venkatachalapathi

Venkatachalapathi, emerging from the cultural tapestry of Devanahalli, embarked on an artistic metamorphosis in 1966, journeying from his hometown to the vibrant epicentre of Bengaluru. Enrolling in the esteemed art program at Kalamandir marked the genesis of an illustrious career. Immersed in formative years at the Visveswaraya Industrial and Technology Museum, he honed diverse artistic mediums, crafting a portfolio infused with symbolism from Nature and Indian mythology. Venkatachalapathi has received numerous awards, including the National Award for Sculpture in 1996 and the Karnataka Lalithakala Academy for Sculptors in 1980 and 1983. Notable honours also include the Ramsons Kala Prathistana in 1995, the Janapada Loka and Bhaskaracharya Awards in 2006, and the Kannada Rajyothsava and Karnataka Shilpakala Academy honours in 1997. Further recognition came with the V.C. Sampada Award in 2015, along with a Shilpakala Academy fellowship. Distinguished as a self-taught luminary, Venkatachalapathi’s extensive oeuvre, exceeding sixty remarkable pieces, spans lifelike portraits to stylized forms. His recent venture into unadorned bronze and ceramic pieces serves as a heartfelt invitation for the younger generation to embrace India’s rich traditions. In his own eloquent words, he reflects on the genesis of his sculptures: “The organic and physical grace of a seedling suggests to certain intimacy, love, and bonding. My works here are about such personal responses to this stimulus”.