According to veteran artist and photographer Shashi Sali, the younger generation today is experiencing a widespread loss of memory regarding classical art and literature. He attributes this “mass oblivion” to the pervasive influence of social media and various other modern distractions.
Sali shared his observations at a recent painting exhibition held at Sri Vijay Mahantesh Lalitkala Mahavidyalaya, an event organized to celebrate the birth centenary of artist N.C. Desai.
“It appears that not only the general public but also dedicated art enthusiasts are neglecting the invaluable contributions of figures like M.M. Minajigi and other seasoned artists,” remarked Sali, who also serves as the director of Sri Jagadguru Mooru Savir Math Vidyavardhak Sangha.
He elaborated on the cause: “This phenomenon stems from our collective addiction to social media, especially among the youth. We spend an unjustified amount of time online. The allure of new multimedia tools, engaging reels, and captivating videos has unfortunately overshadowed what truly constitutes genuine art.”
Sali commended the college committee and N.C. Desai’s descendants for their initiative in organizing the painting exhibition to commemorate Desai’s centenary year. He stressed the importance of such efforts, stating, “These initiatives are highly laudable as they help us remember and appreciate the artists of yesteryear. We must actively support such endeavors.”
He further highlighted the urgent need for digitizing classical literature, paintings, and photographic negatives. While a decline in traditional reading habits among younger people is evident, they are increasingly turning to e-books and audiobooks. Therefore, Sali advocated for the creation of substantial digital content by converting existing materials from books, film rolls, and negatives into accessible digital formats.
In a significant moment, Sali officially launched the N.C. Desai digital archives, which were developed by a team led by H.L. Omshivaprakash of Servants of Knowledge in Bengaluru, by scanning a Quick Response Code.
Recalling his personal connection with N.C. Desai, Sali spoke of the artist’s commercial art studio established in Hubballi during the 1980s. He described Desai as an unpretentious, humble, and soft-spoken artist who was not driven by wealth or recognition. “He approached commercial art in a refreshingly non-commercial way,” Sali noted.
Basavaraj Kalegar, a member of the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy, emphasized the necessity of bringing greater attention to artists from northern Karnataka. He mentioned that the academy frequently receives requests for books, seminars, and workshops on lesser-known artists from southern Karnataka, yet similar efforts are lacking for those from the northern region. Kalegar assured that the academy plans to organize a special program as part of N.C. Desai’s centenary celebrations and intends to produce a booklet and monograph focusing on North Karnataka artists.
Kalegar also advised artists’ descendants against selling their inherited works, asserting, “These creations are the society’s artistic legacy and deserve to be carefully preserved.”
Dr. V.B. Nitali, a retired medical officer, shared insights into the growing use of art therapy in psychological counseling across European countries, encouraging physicians to explore these emerging trends. Dr. Nitali generously donated a book on art therapy to the college library and appealed to parents to support their artistically inclined children in pursuing their passions.
Aravind Kubsad, president of the SJMV society, affirmed the society’s commitment to supporting exhibitions of paintings by artists from northern Karnataka.
Sri Gurudatta Swami Chakravarthy of Agadi Ananda Vana provided a historical overview of the Havanoor Samsthan, dating back to 1750 CE, with which Desai was associated. He noted that despite Desai’s formal training in fine art, he was instrumental in designing the architectural plans for the rejuvenation of the Ananda Vana Math in the 1980s.
Sri Gurusiddharaj Yogindra Swami of Mooru Savira Math, who inaugurated the exhibition, encouraged budding artists to draw inspiration from classical artists and integrate their timeless techniques into contemporary works. “We should take immense pride in the unique artistic expressions found within our community. It’s vital that we celebrate these talents and continually learn from their mastery,” he urged.
Principal R.R. Hiregoudar, program coordinator Pratap Bahuroopi, and faculty members C.D. Jattannavar and Kalavati Kugate were among those present at the event.