Tabloid keeps enthusiasts abreast of artistic events

Belagavi: The tabloid ‘Art Affairs’ dedicated to news about paintings and cartoon exhibitions is now into its fifth year. Published in Belagavi, this monthly newspaper is distributed across a dozen states.
Vishwanath V Guggari, a retired employee of KLES’ Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, started this 12-page tabloid in January 2014. A painter himself, he felt the need for such a magazine.

“Though the number of painters is small, they’re eager to know about developments in this field. We cannot expect detailed reports in mainstream media and that’s why we started publishing this magazine,” he said.

He used his gratuity amount and some other funds to launch it. “We have 2,200 subscribers from Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Odisha, West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir and a few other states. Of these, 1,800 are paid subscribers and the rest are galleries and trusts working in art. If we get 2,000 paid subscribers, we break even but till then, we have to spend from our pocket,” he said.

He thanked doctors of JNMC for contributing to this publication. He said there are a few art magazines but they’re largely limited to their city or state.

Veteran painter BKS Varma, who lives in Bengaluru, said he has been reading ‘Art Affairs’ since its inception. “Every issue has a nice layout and style of presentation. I eagerly wait for it every month. It plays a crucial role in the growth of art of India,” he added.

Another artist Chandan Kumar Dey from Kolkata said about 30 artists or art enthusiasts in his city are regular subscribers. “We know what’s happening in many cities in the area of art. This magazine is popular in Shantiniketan, Government Fine Arts Colleges and other art institutions in Kolkata,” he said.

While Art Affairs sources news items, with credit, from other publications, it also has a panel of writers who contribute regularly.