Chitrakala Parishath chief rubbishes charges, threatens to file suit

Bengaluru: A steady stream of allegations continue to flow in against the management of Chitrakala Parishath, one of the most prestigious art institutions in the country. Needless to say, the claims made by Sridevi Rao, daughter of KCKP founder Nanjunda Rao, have not gone down well with the incumbent officers. BL Shankar, President, KCKP, said in a written statement that a criminal and civil defamation case will be filed against Rao.

“She will answer for her allegations through a court of law,” the statement said. Dr Shankar went on to say that Rao has been unable to digest the accomplishments of the institute. “She is defaming KCKP by addressing the media and submitting memorandums to the governnor,” he said. KCKP has been around for 50 years and it is the constant support from leaders, artists and Chief Ministers that have brought it to its current level.”

The writ petition filed by Rao in the High Court was dismissed and the administrative body has been “selected unanimously, based on High Court directions,” said Dr Shankar. “This took place in June 2013.”

However, other members have jumped to her defense, with lifelong member Dr Babu backing  Rao's claims. “She is defending her father, whom I have known for 30 years. He is a man with relentless dedication to art,” he said. “Politicians have entered the art college and they don't even understand the value of the paintings kept there. They are bringing politics and religion into art and culture, our city's heritage.”

Having been a member of CKP for 25 years, Dr Babu admits that he is extremely troubled by the way things are going. “The standard has fallen drastically,” he said. “There was a time when people would come from all over to visit the college and its gallery, but now, they are being asked to pay an entry fee of Rs 5 per head,” he explained. Dr Babu even talked about misappropriation of funds saying, “They spent Rs 15 lakh on renovating a single toilet. This the level of misappropration and it is all being done so some people can make money.”