INTACH and Art Kanara Trust to launch pictorial book showcasing Mangaluru’s heritage along exhibition of the artworks

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, February 22, 2025: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), in association with Art Kanara Trust, is set to unveil a attractive pictorial book, ‘Combing Kudla with Pens and Brushes’, capturing the city’s rich heritage through the evocative sketches and watercolours of five renowned artists from Dakshina Kannada.

The book launch will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, Ballalbagh, Mangaluru. Distinguished guests, Srimat Swami Jitakamanandaji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru, and George Albuquerque Pai, Managing Partner of A. Albuquerque and Sons Tile Factory, Mangaluru, will grace the occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original artworks featured in the book will be exhibited at the Kodialguthu Centre until Friday, February 28, from 11 AM to 7 PM. The participating artists—Harish Kodialbail, Jeevan Salian, Santhosh Andrade, Syed Asif Ali, and Wilson Souza—have meticulously illustrated Mangaluru’s architectural and cultural legacy. Architect Subhas Basu, who is the convener of INTACH Mangaluru Chapter too has contributed a few sketches. The 72-page book, enriched with well-researched narratives by Deekshith Pai, is both a collector’s item and a tribute to the city’s historic charm. The project has been well supported by various sponsors and well wishers.

A Labour of Love for Mangaluru’s Heritage

This book is the culmination of an artistic journey that began on World River Day in September 2022, when INTACH Mangaluru invited artists and school students to document the vibrant life of Bengre’s fishing villages. Over the next two years, more sketching events unfolded across the city—at the Srimanthi Bai Memorial Government Museum in Bejai, the historic Bunder precinct, and during a communal harmony rally at Mahila Sabha. Each event saw the artists capturing the essence of Mangaluru’s evolving urban landscape, preserving its fading stories through intricate strokes and vivid watercolors.

In May 2024, a curated collection of about 50 sketches of over 40 heritage sites was showcased in an exhibition under the same title, Combing Kudla with Pens and Brushes. The overwhelming response from visitors, who shared personal anecdotes linked to these heritage sites, reaffirmed the power of art in community storytelling. The collection was later displayed at the historic Old DC Office during Heritage Week organised by the DK District Administration in November 2024 and was also transformed into a successful postcard series.

This initiative not only documents Mangaluru’s changing cityscape but also fosters an appreciation for its rich past, ensuring its cultural footprint remains etched in memory. As rapid urban transformation unfolds, Combing Kudla with Pens and Brushes stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s unique architectural and cultural identity, contributing to the preservation of Mangaluru’s collective memory.

For details contact:
Subhas Chandra Basu (Convener): 87623 68048
Rajendra Kedige: 94800 14812
intachmangaluru@gmail.com