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MANIPAL:  A two-day national seminar and art exhibition funded by Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and organised by the Centre for Creative and Cultural Studies, Manipal University was inaugurated by Prof. B.A. Viveka Rai, Professor of Kannada Language, Literature and Folkloristics and Poornima Baliga, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Kasturba Medical College here on 22 July at Interact Hall, KMC.

"Any work of art should have an identity. The identity of the concept is very strong when you can communicate the same concept with other identity groups," said Prof Rai while delivering the inaugural address. "Pluralism and multiculturalism is prevalent in this region because of the diverse, vibrant and dynamic nature of South Canara and the intercommunication between the people of this culture and traditions," he added.

"At a conceptual level this is an attempt to sharp focus the coastal cultures and also their art forms in a diverse multicultural university like Manipal. It is also an attempt to look at certain art forms at this point of time and make some kind of critical evaluation against the historical background," said Prof Varadesh Hiregange, Director, Gandhian and Peace Studies.

"The Centre for Creative and Cultural Studies has been doing really well in bringing arts and culture to Manipal and appreciating the form in various ways including organising workshops and seminars as this," said Prof. Poornima Baliga while addressing the gathering.

PG programmes in Fine Arts and Cultural Studies and Ph.D research Centre, where candidates can enrol for PhD in cultural studies, fine arts, and in interdisciplinary studies such as  music, dance, theatre, culture and society, folklore, art and design, history, visual culture and art history, will be introduced in the next academic year, said Dr Unni Krishnan K, Associate Professor, Coordinator Centre for Creative and Cultural Studies and the convener of the national seminar.

Conference proceedings and catalogues on the art exhibition was released during the inauguration by Prof Rai and Prof Baliga. The seminar also inaugurated the second batch of art appreciation course  consisting of 60 students from engineering and commerce department.

The aim of the conference is to analyze, debate and research on the Indian art and art historical practices with a concern over coastal Karavali culture and Art practices. This seminar will reveal the reactions and reflections of Indian artists to their regional concerns. The purpose of this seminar is to capture the ongoing scenario in the field of Art and Artists in the backdrop of the coastal life, culture and environment.

The seminar has invited research papers from senior scholars from the interdisciplinary areas of Fine Arts, Yakshagana, Folk Art, Visual Arts, Music, Dance and Art History. The scholars presenting research papers are: Dr Prabhakara Joshy, Prof. M L Samaga, Dr Raghava Nambiar on Yakshagana, Dr Ashok Alva, Dr S.A. Krishniah, Ms Sharitha Hegde on Folklore, Ms Bhramari Shivaprakash on dance, Mr Janardan Rao Havanje on mural art, Prof. Choodamani N, Prof. Raghavendra Kulkarni , Prof. Ramesh Chandra, Prof. Anil Kumar on Visual art and Art History, Dr Ranga Pai, Prof. Arvind Hebbar on Music.

A special art exhibition titled ’Chitrakaravali: A tribute to Karavali art and culture’ is also being organised as part of the national seminar. The two-day exhibition features a selection of artworks by five senior artists--Peter Lewis, Ramesh Rao, Merlin Raskina, K Laxman Bhat and Ganesha Somayaji. There are, in all, seven paintings and two miniature sculptures displayed.

The Centre for Creative and Cultural Studies (CCCS), is an initiative of the Manipal University, to promote interdisciplinary studies in the areas of art, culture and society.