In 1960’s the coast of Bay of Bengal, connecting Madrasapattinam to cuddalore via pondicherry had a facelift, an artistic facelift with the founding of the Cholamandal artist’s village, by the late K.C.S Panicker, who was then the Principal of college of Arts. When the now E.C.R was only a road connecting to fishermen hamlets, group of 40 artists of the College got together under Mr. Paniker to form an artists community and created their own ‘Art-Space’ to devote their life for Art. In those days, it was an informal ambience where artists created their masterpieces and sold in a permanent gallery roofed under a thatched hut and reserved 20% of their sales to their association ‘Cholamandal Artists Handicrafts Association’ and used those funds to upkeep the Village.
Gallery: Cholamandal Artist’s Village
With a vision of putting the Art of Chennai on the ‘Art-Map’ of the world they planned to re-design the ambience and provide an aesthetic experience in true sense. After several years of struggle today their dreams have come true to proudly swank Cholamandal as the only artists village of its kind in the world.
The newly constructed building is named ‘Cholamandal Centre for Contemporary Art’ with ‘eco-friendly’ façade made of Exposed-Bricks and surrounded by striking contemporary sculpture Garden. The Gallery operates in 2 levels. The 1st floor is the ‘Permanent Collection Museum’ which hosts works of many senior artists Paniker, Senapathi, Late Santhanaraj, Nandan, S.G. Vasudev, Thotta Tharani, Sculptors Nandagopal, Karunamoorthy to name a few. The ground floor is the commercial gallery with works by renowned artists.
There are also two galleries available on Rent @ Rs. 1,500 per day for 400 sq.ft and Rs.2,500/- for 600 sq.ft. The Art gurus out here have made the process of hiring this space to be very simple. Its jut one application away, but for artists only. The sculpture garden around the centre states that Indian Contemporary Art is on par with the International Art. There are also sculptures made by International Artists on various occasions and exchange programs.
What more can we expect?
A restaurant and coffee shop amidst the sculptor garden for you to grab a coffee or snack and talk to those lively sculptors out there – ‘Coffee with Sculptures’ :)
What about a ‘living-in’ experience?
They have two guest houses and studio apartments on rent for artists to ‘live and paint’ in this serene atmosphere. The Studio apartment is at its best with all facilities for an artist to paint in a relax mood, because all that one has to do is to just come with creativity and thirst to paint. Rest will be taken care by the ‘Village team’.
What for the ‘Gen-Nex’?
PPA (Progressive Painter’s Association) is a group of Gen-Nex artists and is open to any artist. Membership fee is Rs.50 per year and Rs.500 for life time. If any of you want to be a part of this art community and have art info on your finger tips, then please grab this offer.
Is it Art for Artists kinda place?
No. They have weekend activities for Art lovers, kids and budding artists too. Every Sunday there is a Portrait and Life Study session by the living artists of the village and is open to all. The participation fee is only Rs.50 per session and is inclusive of material and high tea. “The fee is to ensure some seriousness with the participants and not to make money” quotes B.O. Shalisesh, the 3rd generation artist living here. There will be a film on art and artist screened on Sunday evenings. After June they are planning to conduct ½ day workshop on Saturdays.
When you drive down on E.C.R, do not miss out to take a left turn to this haven of Art ‘Cholamandal Artists Village.
Cholamandal Artists’ Village
Injambakkam, Chennai – 600 041
Phone: 91- 44- 24494053
e-mail: cholaartist@yahoo.co.in
Nirmalaa Shrethar