Chitrasiri, a three day state level art camp is conducted every year as a curtain raiser prior to the Alva’s Nudisiri at the Vidyagiri campus. Chitrasiri has been a great platform for younger artists to display their talent. Every year thousands of artists participate in this event and create paintings on the spot throughout the day. There are landscapes, portraits, modern arts, sculpture, drawing, watercolor and graphics. Chitrasiri 2012 was inaugurated by Swasti Sri Bhattaraka Charu Kirthi Pandithacharyavarya Swamiji of Moodbidri Jain Matha.
Renowned painter Mr. U Ramesh Rao was the Chief Guest of Chitrasiri 2012. He appreciated the works done by the young painters and told them not to forget those who promote them by bringing them out of seclusion and giving them such a large platform. The platform would directly launch them into limelight and get them recognition in society. He also said that in the past these kinds of art camps were very few and because of this artists never came out of darkness.
In contrast there are immense opportunities for the new artists to shine and earn name and fame. The younger generation should make the best use of such opportunities in a matured way.
The Guest of Honor Sri Pradeep Kumar Kalkura stressed on the importance of painting in the Indian culture as a whole.
Temples also had well sculpted all around giving great encouragement to art. In olden days kings and emperors were patrons of all arts and now Chitrasiri has stepped in as a sponsor of arts. Veteran artist V B Hire Gowdar, Former Principal, College of Fine Arts, Davanagere University bagged the Alva’s Chitrasiri Award for 2012. The Award was conferred by Karnataka Fine Arts Academy President Chi.Su. Krishna Shetty.