Flowers on the wall

In the art history of modernism in Karnataka, Rumale Channabasavaiah shines like a bright star. See his landscapes in which each and every petal, every leaf radiates light, their luminous colours evoke a visceral feeling and you can start your journey to knowing the artist. But where do you start? At Rumale Art Gallery in a nondescript lane in Rajaji Nagar. It is one of those places that not many except those in the artistic circles know about. Preserved by Sanjay Kabe, Rumale’s close friend’s son, all these years, the space is in the throes of a major revamp.

Who was Rumale?

Rumale was not just an artist. He was a legislator, freedom fighter, social activist and newspaper editor. He was born in 1910 and participated in the freedom movement during which he was also jailed a number of times. He was a self-taught artist whose works bear impressionistic influences. Taking cognisance of dam building and hydroelectricity works going on in different parts of Karnataka, the State Government commissioned him to paint the views of those places before they transformed for good. “Perspectives of Karnataka Modern Art” held late last year at National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), had included the stunning panoramic view of Tungabhadra river by Rumale. At Rumale Art Gallery, you can see Kudalasangama, an important centre of pilgrimage for Lingayats.

Discover Bengaluru of yore: At Rumale Art Gallery House at Rajaji Nagar   | Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

He also painted different sites in Bengaluru - Cubbon Park, Karnataka High Court, Vidhana Souda and the nature around them. The omnipresent greenery had captured the imagination of the artist. His last work done on January 27, 1988, was in the RBI in Sadashivnagar. The next day, he had gone to Lal Bagh to study a flower in bloom. Done with that, as Rumale was boarding an auto to get back home, his auto was hit by a speeding bus. He succumbed to the injuries later in the hospital.

His vision led to the space

Kabe lived with Rumale for 25 years in the space which later turned into a gallery. A thick friend of Kabe’s father, Rumale was ‘kaka’ to him. “He was like a saint. He wanted to use his art for the cause of nation-building. He was in the first Mysore legislative council but never took advantage of that position. He didn’t take pension either. He had completely forgotten about this site allotted to him for a few years,” remembers Kabe.

Discover Bengaluru of yore: At Rumale Art Gallery House at Rajaji Nagar   | Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

There were hardly any spaces to exhibit art during Rumale’s time. According to Kabe, he had exhibitions in Vidhana Souda. Rumale strongly felt a desire to have a dedicated space to exhibit art, in a professional manner. And that’s where the origins of Rumale Art Gallery are. The gallery was home to Kabe’s family of four and Rumale and since November 1973, it started to also function as his studio-and-gallery. “We have had so many chief ministers, artists, Prime Ministers, IAS officers come here. I remember how we would lift a painting and show it since there was no space to display them all. That’s how we showed his paintings.”

How is it evolving now

The idea of expanding and revamping the space occurred to Kabe after he vacated the place to move to a neighbouring apartment complex. He is now equipping the gallery with professional lighting and a proper display system for the 120 paintings of different sizes. One room has already been decided to focus on his spiritual side with paintings of his spiritual guru and shrines.

Sanjay Kabe, foster son of Rumale Channabasavaiah, has taken care of the gallery all this while   | Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

Kabe is, in fact, consulting senior artists, galleries and museum experts for their inputs. “I don’t want to completely change the place because it is a heritage site but at the same time, it needs to have modern facilities. Rumale never liked his works to have captions but the viewer needs the explanation. So, we are thinking of an audio app.” Kabe is mulling over some pamphlets and artist’s personal belongings to display in the space.

Discover Bengaluru of yore: At Rumale Art Gallery House at Rajaji Nagar   | Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

Kabe wants to make it a vibrant space with visits by school students, discussions on art, leadership and film screenings. On the entrance is coming up a bust of Rumale done by well-known sculptor Venkatachalapathy.

The revamp doesn't mean that the gallery is not open to art lovers. Like how it has always been, the visitor needs to call up Kabe and take an appointment to visit the gallery.

(For appointment either mail him at smkabe@gmail.com or call on 9535678111)