A captivating painting exhibition celebrating the remarkable life and art of veteran artist N.C. Desai is set to enchant art lovers in Hubballi from November 1st to 4th, 2025.
This special event marks the birth centenary of the acclaimed Karnataka Lalit Kala Akademi awardee. Known for his iconic portraits of Swami Vivekananda and his globally recognized ‘Global Ganesh’ series, Desai’s work will be a focal point. The exhibition will be formally inaugurated by Sri Gurusidda Rajayogindra Swamiji of Moorusavira Math at 11 a.m. at the Vijaya Mahantesh Lalit Kala Mahavidyalaya, conveniently located near the HDMC office on Lamington Road in Hubballi.
A file photo of artist N.C. Desai. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Mr. Desai’s Enduring Contributions to Art and Culture
Born in 1924 in Agadi village, Haveri district, Mr. Desai honed his skills under the guidance of art educator G.S. Dandavatimath and furthered his education at the prestigious Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy School of Art in Mumbai. His artistic prowess is evident in works such as his revered portraits of Swami Vivekananda and the spiritually significant ‘Vishvavyapi Ganesha’ series, which have garnered international recognition. Beyond his own creations, Desai’s diligent research shed light on the forgotten medieval artist Solapur Shubaraya and championed the unique artistic expressions of tribal communities, including the Warli of Talasari, Chitari of Sawantwadi, and Patta of Odisha.
The Kangiten twin Ganesha, a painting by artist N.C. Desai. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
During his time in Mumbai, from the 1970s to the 90s, Mr. Desai was a prolific contributor to Kannada journalism. He regularly designed magazine front pages, authored insightful articles on art criticism, and played a pivotal role in introducing emerging artists and singers to a wider audience. His photographs frequently graced the pages of Marathi and various South Indian language newspapers and magazines. His contributions extended to esteemed Kannada publications such as Kasturi, Tushara, Taranga, Sudha, Mayura, Prajavani, Kannada Prabha, and Samyukta Karnataka, alongside spiritual magazines like Sadbodha Chandrike and Viveka Sampada.
The portrait of Swami Vivekananda, painted by artist N.C. Desai. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In the later decades of his life, Mr. Desai established and ran a vibrant art studio in Hubballi. Prior to this, he lent his talents to the design and communication team at Premier Auto Limited. He passed away in Hubballi in 2003, leaving behind a rich artistic and cultural legacy.
10,000 Pages of Work Digitised for Public Access
To ensure his vast body of work remains accessible, ‘Servants of Knowledge’, a Bengaluru-based digital archive group, has meticulously digitised approximately 10,000 pages of his creations. This extensive collection, comprising articles, paintings, and photographs, has been uploaded to archive.org. A special QR Code will be unveiled during the inauguration ceremony, providing easy public access to this valuable material.
The inauguration will be attended by distinguished guests, including Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, artist and Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy member Basavaraj Kalegar, seers from Anandavana in Agadi—Shri Gurudatta Chakravarthy and Shri Vishwanath Chakravarthy—along with Honorary Executive President Aravind Kubasada and Honorary Director Shashidhar Sali of the Shri Jagadguru Moorasavir Math Vidyavardhaka Sangha, and retired HDMC Health Officer V.B. Nithali, among others.
The exhibition welcomes the public daily from November 1st to 4th, with visiting hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.