The retrospective show of paintings of a widely recognized artist MTV Acharya (1920-1992), was held at the Indian Institute of World Culture, Bangalore, Curated by Shivanand Basavanthappa from 4th to 13th April 2025. The narrative element in the mythological paintings of MTV Acharya is the pivot, interlacing stories from ancient texts into vivid visual scenes. Each composition unfolded a glimpse of drama, emotion, or divine intervention; guiding the onlooker through a tale of myth and muse, which didn’t need words if one is aware of the mythological connections. Characters, visual metaphors, and settings concoct together to unveil the saga.
Exquisiteness in his divine visions lies in their intricate detailing. The artist has used delicate brushwork and vibrant colours, which are fresh till date even after decades, and expressive and lyrical forms to bring gods, heroes, and epic tales to life. Be it a gesticulation, garment, or contextual background—everything carries layered impact, merging the beauty of nine ‘Rasas’ with a distinct mood or sentiment and his storytelling.
Lines have force in them, conveying movement, emotion, and power. Dynamic, flowing lines accentuate the action, tension and even grace.
Through bold outlines and subtle curves, the artist captures the energy of battles, divine presence, or heroic gestures, giving life and intensity to the mythological narrative.
There is a scene of warriors clash, sways of dharma, and timeless lore, like the intensity of Arjuna’s doubt, Krishna’s divine counsel, Draupadi’s silent strength and pain, Draupadi with Krishna, Yudhistra getting hurt, King Viraat, Vishwamitra and Menka, Lakshmi and Saraswati, Vanavas, Gadayudda, Yaksha Prashne, Birth of Bheema, Death of Dushyasana and the many more moral dilemmas that shape the stories.
The collection displayed included portraits, figure studies, everyday scenes like children playing, a hungry man sitting with a dog and an empty plate, a woodcutter, and a marriage ceremony. Each piece stands so distinct in style and tone.
The extensiveness of exploration across the series spread across different rooms encounters the notion of a singular artistic identity.
MTV Acharya was honoured and awarded by numerous organizations and gained expertise under the tutelage of Y. Subramanyam Raju and Tankasale. He was an appointed artist of ‘Chandamama’ illustrated magazine in the 1950s and also served as Editor of Kannada Chandamama. He not only wrote articles for several magazines but also despite all the financial challenges took the initiative of starting Distant Learning for Art enthusiasts.
With his noble vision of spreading art among people, he established a private art school named ‘Acharya Chitrakala Bhavana’. He went to the extent of selling his home to raise funds, dedicated years to preparing lessons and procured many books from abroad for the mission.
He had the privilege of being sent to Russia by the Karnataka Government, where his works were not only appreciated but also documented in many books.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Guests Sh Chiranjeev Singh-Retd IAS, and eminent artists CS Krishna Setty and Chandranath Acharya; accompanied by special guest Smt Medhini Garudachar- Chairperson of Garuda Foundation; and Guests of Honour- L. Shivalingappa- Artist and Writer, P. Sheshadri- Film producer and Director, and RG Singh- Secretary, Ramson Kala Pratishtana. The event also included an illustrated lecture on the life of the legendary artist RG Singh.
Image Courtesy of Dr Alka Chadha Harpalani
Alka is an artist and art writer with a diverse career spanning teaching, e-learning projects with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), and editorial work. An alum of the Government College of Art, Chandigarh (BFA) and Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (MFA, PhD), she has been recognised with numerous prestigious awards and honours.
