Mangalore, Dec 3: The protests to save Nethravati from diversion have taken an artistic turn with the artists of the region resorting to painting cartoons and caricatures.
These expressions, which have spurred out as reaction to the proposed Nethravati diversion have been displayed at Orchid Art Gallery. The expo of the same was inaugurated on Monday where 22 piece of art by 8 artists have been showcased.
While a few held moral lessons on the link between deforestation and drying up of water sources, others were direct and caustic: take for instance, a caricature of Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, B. Ramanath Rai holding an uprooted tree, while urging the public to save the environment.
Apart from lampooning politicians, citizens of the district are also targeted for their apathy. Exhibition is representing the present condition of district and politicians taking proposed Netravati Diversion project for political mileage. The public is pictured watching political developments blindly, when the heat of water crisis hits them in future continuously.
“This exhibition is the last resort of activists,” said Niranjan Rai, President of the Netravati River Diversion Opposition Committee, Uppinangadi, during the inauguration. He lamented that while politicians, across parties, were united in their resolve to implement the project, the citizens of the coastal district were not one in their opposition. “Politicians are aware of this division among the people, and are taking advantage,” he said.
Artist Dinesh Holla said the exhibition will have a showing in Puttur, while also featuring prominently in the Kalamela to be held at Kadri Park on December 14 and 15. “More than listening to lectures, people will understand the importance of the project through these cartoons,” he said.
Harini, Satish Acharya, John Chandran, Jeevan, Amruth Vittal, Dinesh Kukkujadka, Yathi Siddakatte, and Uday Vittal contributed to the exhibition. The exhibition will be open till December 4 at the Orchid Art Gallery, Balmatta.
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