KAVI ART OF COASTAL KARNATAKA

KAVI ART OF COASTAL KARNATAKA

Kavi art (kAvi kale) (ಕಾವಿ ಕಲೆ) is an art form which is practiced exclusively in coastal Karnataka, usually by people belonging to the Konkani community. These are essentially mono-chrome mural paintings. This art form was practiced in the state of Goa also, which incidentally happens to be the home land of the Konakani community. This art thrived in this region during 1500-1775 A.D. The colour is brilliant red which is created by a material called ‘ura manju’ (Maroon, Indian red) in Kannada. Dr. Krishnanda Kamat has done a lot of research on this art form and he has published a wonderful selection of these paintings in his books.

Monochrome is the preferred choice because the heavy rain fall in this region precludes the possibility of multiple colours. The walls of a particular building whether it be a temple or a place of residence has to be prepared in a particular manner for it to act as the canvass that receives the painting. A mixture of white lime, sand collected from river beds and sea shells ground into a paste are mixed with jaggery and the resulting concoction is allowed to ferment for a fortnight. The final hardened mixture is again pounded in to a fine paste and is applied to the wall with a steel trovel or a wooden float. The etchings are made on this wall, when it is still wet. Geometrical drawings are made with ruler and compass. Larger and more complicated etchings are done first on paper by pricking holes on it. Afterwards the paper is pressed to the wall, white lime powder smeared on to the wall through the pin prick holes on the paper. Etching is done on the outline drawings thus obtained. Strong steel bodkins called ‘kantha’s are used to do the etching proper. These bodkins are made in different sizes and shapes. The murals are allowed to dry foe 24 hours. After that, water is sprayed on them every four hours, for seven days. This prevents the murals from cracking and helps in the preservation of the paintings. Finally we have reddish brown murals, on sparkling white sand blasted background. David Abrams has this to say about the paintings: “Kavi art utilizes an unusual technique, where the top layer of plaster, dyed with a blood-red pigment is etched away to create detail revelaed by the lower white layer of plaser.” There are kAvi murals dating back to the 16^th centuries in many temples and ancient homes. The murals at the Marikamba Temple in Sirsi, Mahalasaa Naarayani temple at Kumtaa, Sri Ramamandir at Honnavara contain classic examples of Kavi art.

These murals vary from place to place and cover the entire gamut of mythological, historical and contemporary themes. As usual, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata provide favourite themes. They are painted on different parts of a temple such as ‘sukanaasi’, ‘mukhamanatapa’, a niche in a corner etc. They differ in size from 2 ft. by 3 ft. right up to 6 ft. by 6 ft. The top of the mural is usually semi circular with features like gopurams, kaLasha etc. There is a plethora of geometrical shapes such as a circles, semi circles, triangles and hexagons. Curved lines are much more intricate. The details are drawn and painted very meticulously. Flora and fauna of the region are amply depicted. Decorations, costumes and ornaments hold a mirror to the contemporary scenario. It is matter of regret that this art form has been on the decline for quite a while.