DEVDAS SHETTY - ದೇವುದಾಸ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ
Paintings, Artworks, Sketches & Photographs
'Devdas Shetty' interview by Dr. G N Upadhya-1
'Devdas Shetty' interview by Dr. G N Upadhya
In the vast field of Arts I have paved my own path and today I believe, I have reached a place, be it small, after a very long period of time. At this juncture, I feel that I should look back and ponder a little, before I start yet another lap ,Jf my journey. It is my pleasure to share some of the thoughts about the ups and downs of my life in the field of art.
I was well aware about the light and darkness in life at a very tender age. I was very fond of sketching trees, birds, dogs, cows, pigs and other animals and things. I sketched for hours together. I did not even bother about my meals. I used to feel elated when teachers showed my Art works and hand-writing to other students. I always thought of achieving something in this World. I had to learn and I knew that learning is a never ending process. It was my dream that I should leave my foot prints in this world so that one day the people will recognise the marks I have left behind. This may be the reason, that today I am recognised as an Artist with a vision.
Unlike children, an artist cries and laughs through the colours, through sketches, through the lines through his compositions. Though I learnt the basics of arts through the lines, through the compositions. Though Art schools and Art Books, I had to visit small villages to learn the gist of the people and Indian culture. Staying and studying in villages helped me a lot in knowing the people of villages and their life. I wanted to portray that life through my sketches and canvases.
After 3-4 years of study in the Arts School, I was attracted towards landscape painting. In 1970 Camel arts showed me the way to organise a show at Oasis Gallery at Mahim. The initial enthusiasm was missing when the show got over after 15 days. The reason : My paintings failed to attract art lovers and art critics alike, But my painting 'Karla Caves' brought me name and fame in the same year in a show. It was kept for display at school of Arts for many years for the benefit of Arts students. Around the same time I had painted "Pregnant Woman". "The Broken Music" "The way of life" "The Leper" etc. Meanwhile I had already arranged 243 one man shows at Mumbai.
In 1972, I arranged a show at Dakshina Kannada for the first time at Shrinagar Art Gallery at Udupi. My friends advised me against this show, saying that it won't be a success in this part of the District. But for me it was a memorable show. Moneywise, it was a disaster, but personally it was a boon for me. I met my life partner during this show.
Even after 1972, my works failed to win the hearts of art lovers. I was also gradually losing heart. I was totally dejected for being a nobody. I was helpless. I was struggling to bring harmony between my life, my art, my work and predicament of family members. I could not do any art work as there was no peace of mind. I thought nobody tried to understand me. I wondered "Why has this flower blossomed in the midst of these rocks" I would console myself remem-bering the words of a good friend "let the flower of happiness never fade away; may you have the sweetness and I will have all the bitterness". I have always believed in God and I was thinking of doing something new.
I portrayed the Indian culture and people in many of my paintings. My principal Shri M. S. Joshi, helped me a lot in this regard and I could study the traditional Mogul Miniature, Rajasthani Miniature and other traditional forms of Art. In all these paintings I could visualize something new and I must have spent hours looking at each of these paintings. They were so inspiring!. For the first time I arranged a show in the medium of Paper Collage. But not with much success. During the same time I displayed one of my Art works at Bajaj Art Gallery titled "Life". This work attracted many Art lovers and it brought me some recognition. Today, this Art work is displayed at London's Modern Art Gallery. Then I changed my medium to Metal Murals. Subjects varied from "Paniharees" to "Pinjaras" and "Kumhars" to Cockfights". Anything that appealed to me, I painted. This phase of life also included Lord Ganesha, Krishna, Mahabharat and many other paintings. Metal Murals did bring me some money but not joy of creation. That was the beginning of my future path.
By this time many changes were taking place in the Indian Arts Arena. Making use of the prevailing conditions in the field of Arts, I started again the Metal Canvas series using the mixture of small bits of metals like Copper, Aluminium, Steel, Sand and Colour. I started to create colourful and fame. Many artists appreciated this and made my style their own. After creating murals in this style for 10 years, I changed my style. Once, in 1984-85. I was doing a show at Jahangir Art Gallery. During that time I had the opportunity to see the original work of Raja Ravi Varma, a great artist of our time. I bowed to the great artist in my heart of heo.--rts. 1 started to frequent the art gallery and I could meet many of the masters like A. R. Bendre, Hebbar and M. F Hussain, Though I liked the work of Amrita Shergill and many other Indian Artists, the lives and works of Vincent Van Gogh, Degas and Gaugin have a great impact on :.ne. As I could not see their original paintings, through books I could gather lot of information regarding their style and their work.
Life was going on and my interest in arts made me to sell my wifes jewellery. By this time I had added three more members, my daughters and a son, to my family. One may be an Artist or a writer; but first he should be a bread winner of the family. My wife was my lone supporter and a source of inspiration. She never let her emotions get the better of her. That was the testing time for her and she came out of this situation with flying colours like a true Indian wife.
Upto 1980-82 life was going with ups and downs but all these upheavals have helped build courage in me. There were no buyers for my paintings. Financial problems were many. The ideas and subjects got transformed into sketches and waited their run for months to appear on canvas. Once, on a
Saturday afternoon, I had gone to Jahangir Art Gallery, I was broke and miserable. In the evening I went to the Seashore. I was depressed. Some times we think of something and do exactly the opposite. Marine Lines beach greeted me with love. I thought, "At least these living things inside the water will have something to taste in my body". If critics don't approve, these creatures will. I Prayed to the Jaladevta to accept my life. "What kind of Artist am I? Nobody is happy because of me". Sitting beside the calm 8z quiet Seashore I was watching a lone boat inching away and away from the Seashore and I was rather worried about the safety of the boat. I thought about my wife and children who were eagerly waiting for me and drops of tears rolled down my eyes unknowingly. I said to myself "What is the use of this life?" and I was firm about my decision now. It was nearing midnight and the Moon laughed at me seeing my plight and vanished. "This is the right time to leave this world", I thought. I had already scribled on a piece of paper conveying my decision to my wife & children. A pair of old Kolhapuri chappals, an old cotton jholi and some drawings & photographs, these were my properties. I laughed at myself. There v as no need to write a "will".
I got up only to find a police van. The policeman came to me shouting "What are you doing here? Do you want to commit suicide or Are you a criminal?, he questioned. I didn't feel bad about his words. What difference it makes to a man who has decided to give up everything. I found love and affection in his words. I was just looking at him without any emotions. He searched my jholi and saw the sketches. "You will be a great Artist; go home." He remarked, still looking at my sketches, then added: "Everything will be alright. If you wander like this, I will put you behind bars", saying these words he kindly dropped me at V. T. Station. I could not understand the irony. Critics had condemned me, people did not know me, and a policeman had appreciated my work!
Here a word or two about Art critics will not be out of place. Their job, I think, is to encourage an Artist and not to drive him to death, Unfortunately in India, many critics are irresponsible. Not only that they suffer from variety of bias and disease of "Hero-worshipping", but they also lack the basic vision. One such critic, who I am sure does not know from which end the brush is held, had the courage to call me 'Patrawala'. That day, I took a last train and felt that I was going home for the first time.
In Dec. 1982, I got an invitation from Taj Art Gallery to do a show. I even ended up selling Mangalasutra of my wife to pay the rent of the Gallery. The show was a success; Al my paintings were sold out. It gave me confidence to restart my work with much more vigour and pep. The joy and sorrow of life were reflected in my paintings. Basically I am a labourer. And my subjects are mainly about Situations and Lives that I live with and that may be the reason why the "The Foot-pathers", "The Street Singer" and "The Florist Girls" could come out of my brush.
In 1972-73, I received a letter from the Art Society informing me about the award to be given to me. I was very happy that atlast the Art people have recognised me. But when I reached the venue to receive the award it was given to somebody else. Since that day I vowed not to send my ,paintings to any competition. The encouraging words of Art lovers are the real awards for me. The business minded people of my Community didn't see any meaning in my art and they never valued an Artist. They simply never recognised me. So I decided to write only "Devdas" in my art works instead of "Devdas Shetty". Some thought I was a Bengali and frankly, I didn't mind. Writing only name in the art work instead of surnames has become a trend nowadays. Inspite of all these shortcomings, I still think, I have the power of Sun God within me, which moulded me into a stong personality and helped me over come the hindrances, I am always thankful to the God Almighty for giving me courage to face the adverse situations. I used to send my paintings to the Group shows; I received invitation from Lalita Kala Academy to join the Kalamela at Madras. This gave me a sense of satisfaction and great joy.
The famous Daily News paper from Pune "Kesari" wrote about me saying "It is difficult to understand this Kannada Artist". Well known Art critic wrote in the Times of India "This is the original style of Devdas Shetty". He is a great Artist" wrote Asian Age. The Karnataka Malla said "Devdas is a natural Artist, who can bring golden touch to Aluminium sheets", "He is an Artist with human touch who values sentiments and love" wrote Hindu. "To see the dancing lines in arts, you must go to Devdas Shetty's show" summed up Liclayavani. He is a tireless Artists" said India Today. Famous Kannada writer Jayant Kaikini paid the tribute, saying "he is an unique gift from Karnataka to the Art world and his paintings are equivalent to the picture of great surrealistic Artist Degas". Once, one of the greatest Artist Shri K. K. Hebbar came to the show with his wife and blessed me. I will not forget this great moment throughout my life.
I still remember my grand mother and her kitchen. I also remember the food cooked by my mother. I remember the sand, cow-dunged walls, the "chappals" given by my father, My dad's umbrella. I like very much the classical songs and old Hindi songs. I have painted many dance and musical sequences in my paintings. In 1986 I thought of doing something new and I started painting five tatvas of this world. Then, once I saw a crow eating flesh of a dead cow and I painted "Crow and Yoni". When my loving sister passed away I painted "Death" in her memory. Somewhere the funeral pyre is lit and in the neighbourhood a child is born and I painted "Rebirth". I made a painting of 3feet X l2feet and donated it to Bunts Sangha, Mumbai and they never cared to keep it in a proper condition.
After my introduction to Kannadigas I organised a show at World Bunts Conference at Bangalore. Here I displayed specially made paintings concerning Dakshina Kannada culture like 'Buffalo Race' Cock fight', 'Naaga Bana', 'Naaga Mandala', 'Yakshagana', 'Kola' etc. The Dakshina Kannada life style was presented in series of canvas.
I always think that man is full of potential and one should realize this and work accordingly. The Artist should respond to the happenings around him. I am u lover of simplicity and I guess, I have led a simple life thus far. And finally, anybody asks me a question "what will you leave behind?" and my answer would be "Some canvasses, some colour tubes, broken brushes, two three whispering lines, some unfinished works and some plain canvases". Let the God give happiness, joy to each and every living being and let the life win; this is my sincere wish.
Namaste.
DEVDAS SHETTY
MAN OF METTLE
Devdas Shetty is a selfmade man, an artist who works, literally from the gut, There is an existing relationship between Shetty's murals and his canvasses. The imagery is vivid, neither blindly realistic nor puzzling abstract. Such murals as Mother and Child, and Sound of Sea have a pictorial quality which may as well belong to a painting. The metal mural Ganesh treats the anatony of the Elephant God in inspired contours which are as stylised as they are expansive. The figure is seated at ease on clusters of leaves. The decorative backdrop as well as the "Om" sign seem to be just appropriate to the whole treatment. Compare them with paintings as Flower Seller and still not come and it will be seen that the metal and the canvases respond to the same imagination. The use of colour binds together the works in two diverse media. Thus Shetty alternates skillfully between painting and metal mural. Devdas Shetty was born and educated in Bombay. He made his debut at one-man show in 1971 in the Jehangir Art Gallery. Since then he has more than 30 one-man shows and an equal number of group shows to his credit. He has exhibited his works in Bombay, Madras, Bangalore and Delhi. His works have featured in exhibition held in Burma, Japan, Germany, London. About himself Shetty says "Things here are like an open book for me. There is no end to my reading this
book. My paintings are also an extention of my observation. "Such an attitude has invested, Devdas Shetty with an intensity of approach and a concern for human values. Critics have noted that he does not adopt any "intellectual poses". He is prompted rather by his emotion than any kind of the arising. This endows Shetty's work with as much power as clarity. He appeals to us on a level which draws together feelings as well as senses.
HIS WORKS
Devdas Shetty is an intense person with a firm belief in human values and a fine sense of humour. His humble childhood and difficult upbringing have made him an assured, explorative and gentle person. He loves life in all its details. His art is humble and growing. It is a fine blend of natural and abstract. His images and situations are real, but compo-sitions are surreal. He works wonders with simple human situations on his canvasses and murals. His subtle sense of colour makes his images vibrate with shades of pathos and lights of compassion. Most outstanding quality of Devdas's work is that it is free of cerebral stances. His art involves more from his heart than from his brain. So it makes a straight human contact with the viewer and imparts a lingering aesthetic warmth. What more can an artist ask for his dedicated pursuit?
Paintings, Artworks, Sketches & Photographs
In the vast field of Arts I have paved my own path and today I believe, I have reached a place, be it small, after a very long period of time. At this juncture, I feel that I should look back and ponder a little, before I start yet another lap ,Jf my journey. It is my pleasure to share some of the thoughts about the ups and downs of my life in the field of art.
I was well aware about the light and darkness in life at a very tender age. I was very fond of sketching trees, birds, dogs, cows, pigs and other animals and things. I sketched for hours together. I did not even bother about my meals. I used to feel elated when teachers showed my Art works and hand-writing to other students. I always thought of achieving something in this World. I had to learn and I knew that learning is a never ending process. It was my dream that I should leave my foot prints in this world so that one day the people will recognise the marks I have left behind. This may be the reason, that today I am recognised as an Artist with a vision.
Unlike children, an artist cries and laughs through the colours, through sketches, through the lines through his compositions. Though I learnt the basics of arts through the lines, through the compositions. Though Art schools and Art Books, I had to visit small villages to learn the gist of the people and Indian culture. Staying and studying in villages helped me a lot in knowing the people of villages and their life. I wanted to portray that life through my sketches and canvases.
After 3-4 years of study in the Arts School, I was attracted towards landscape painting. In 1970 Camel arts showed me the way to organise a show at Oasis Gallery at Mahim. The initial enthusiasm was missing when the show got over after 15 days. The reason : My paintings failed to attract art lovers and art critics alike, But my painting 'Karla Caves' brought me name and fame in the same year in a show. It was kept for display at school of Arts for many years for the benefit of Arts students. Around the same time I had painted "Pregnant Woman". "The Broken Music" "The way of life" "The Leper" etc. Meanwhile I had already arranged 243 one man shows at Mumbai.
In 1972, I arranged a show at Dakshina Kannada for the first time at Shrinagar Art Gallery at Udupi. My friends advised me against this show, saying that it won't be a success in this part of the District. But for me it was a memorable show. Moneywise, it was a disaster, but personally it was a boon for me. I met my life partner during this show.
Even after 1972, my works failed to win the hearts of art lovers. I was also gradually losing heart. I was totally dejected for being a nobody. I was helpless. I was struggling to bring harmony between my life, my art, my work and predicament of family members. I could not do any art work as there was no peace of mind. I thought nobody tried to understand me. I wondered "Why has this flower blossomed in the midst of these rocks" I would console myself remem-bering the words of a good friend "let the flower of happiness never fade away; may you have the sweetness and I will have all the bitterness". I have always believed in God and I was thinking of doing something new.
I portrayed the Indian culture and people in many of my paintings. My principal Shri M. S. Joshi, helped me a lot in this regard and I could study the traditional Mogul Miniature, Rajasthani Miniature and other traditional forms of Art. In all these paintings I could visualize something new and I must have spent hours looking at each of these paintings. They were so inspiring!. For the first time I arranged a show in the medium of Paper Collage. But not with much success. During the same time I displayed one of my Art works at Bajaj Art Gallery titled "Life". This work attracted many Art lovers and it brought me some recognition. Today, this Art work is displayed at London's Modern Art Gallery. Then I changed my medium to Metal Murals. Subjects varied from "Paniharees" to "Pinjaras" and "Kumhars" to Cockfights". Anything that appealed to me, I painted. This phase of life also included Lord Ganesha, Krishna, Mahabharat and many other paintings. Metal Murals did bring me some money but not joy of creation. That was the beginning of my future path.
By this time many changes were taking place in the Indian Arts Arena. Making use of the prevailing conditions in the field of Arts, I started again the Metal Canvas series using the mixture of small bits of metals like Copper, Aluminium, Steel, Sand and Colour. I started to create colourful and fame. Many artists appreciated this and made my style their own. After creating murals in this style for 10 years, I changed my style. Once, in 1984-85. I was doing a show at Jahangir Art Gallery. During that time I had the opportunity to see the original work of Raja Ravi Varma, a great artist of our time. I bowed to the great artist in my heart of heo.--rts. 1 started to frequent the art gallery and I could meet many of the masters like A. R. Bendre, Hebbar and M. F Hussain, Though I liked the work of Amrita Shergill and many other Indian Artists, the lives and works of Vincent Van Gogh, Degas and Gaugin have a great impact on :.ne. As I could not see their original paintings, through books I could gather lot of information regarding their style and their work.
Life was going on and my interest in arts made me to sell my wifes jewellery. By this time I had added three more members, my daughters and a son, to my family. One may be an Artist or a writer; but first he should be a bread winner of the family. My wife was my lone supporter and a source of inspiration. She never let her emotions get the better of her. That was the testing time for her and she came out of this situation with flying colours like a true Indian wife.
Upto 1980-82 life was going with ups and downs but all these upheavals have helped build courage in me. There were no buyers for my paintings. Financial problems were many. The ideas and subjects got transformed into sketches and waited their run for months to appear on canvas. Once, on a
Saturday afternoon, I had gone to Jahangir Art Gallery, I was broke and miserable. In the evening I went to the Seashore. I was depressed. Some times we think of something and do exactly the opposite. Marine Lines beach greeted me with love. I thought, "At least these living things inside the water will have something to taste in my body". If critics don't approve, these creatures will. I Prayed to the Jaladevta to accept my life. "What kind of Artist am I? Nobody is happy because of me". Sitting beside the calm 8z quiet Seashore I was watching a lone boat inching away and away from the Seashore and I was rather worried about the safety of the boat. I thought about my wife and children who were eagerly waiting for me and drops of tears rolled down my eyes unknowingly. I said to myself "What is the use of this life?" and I was firm about my decision now. It was nearing midnight and the Moon laughed at me seeing my plight and vanished. "This is the right time to leave this world", I thought. I had already scribled on a piece of paper conveying my decision to my wife & children. A pair of old Kolhapuri chappals, an old cotton jholi and some drawings & photographs, these were my properties. I laughed at myself. There v as no need to write a "will".
I got up only to find a police van. The policeman came to me shouting "What are you doing here? Do you want to commit suicide or Are you a criminal?, he questioned. I didn't feel bad about his words. What difference it makes to a man who has decided to give up everything. I found love and affection in his words. I was just looking at him without any emotions. He searched my jholi and saw the sketches. "You will be a great Artist; go home." He remarked, still looking at my sketches, then added: "Everything will be alright. If you wander like this, I will put you behind bars", saying these words he kindly dropped me at V. T. Station. I could not understand the irony. Critics had condemned me, people did not know me, and a policeman had appreciated my work!
Here a word or two about Art critics will not be out of place. Their job, I think, is to encourage an Artist and not to drive him to death, Unfortunately in India, many critics are irresponsible. Not only that they suffer from variety of bias and disease of "Hero-worshipping", but they also lack the basic vision. One such critic, who I am sure does not know from which end the brush is held, had the courage to call me 'Patrawala'. That day, I took a last train and felt that I was going home for the first time.
In Dec. 1982, I got an invitation from Taj Art Gallery to do a show. I even ended up selling Mangalasutra of my wife to pay the rent of the Gallery. The show was a success; Al my paintings were sold out. It gave me confidence to restart my work with much more vigour and pep. The joy and sorrow of life were reflected in my paintings. Basically I am a labourer. And my subjects are mainly about Situations and Lives that I live with and that may be the reason why the "The Foot-pathers", "The Street Singer" and "The Florist Girls" could come out of my brush.
In 1972-73, I received a letter from the Art Society informing me about the award to be given to me. I was very happy that atlast the Art people have recognised me. But when I reached the venue to receive the award it was given to somebody else. Since that day I vowed not to send my ,paintings to any competition. The encouraging words of Art lovers are the real awards for me. The business minded people of my Community didn't see any meaning in my art and they never valued an Artist. They simply never recognised me. So I decided to write only "Devdas" in my art works instead of "Devdas Shetty". Some thought I was a Bengali and frankly, I didn't mind. Writing only name in the art work instead of surnames has become a trend nowadays. Inspite of all these shortcomings, I still think, I have the power of Sun God within me, which moulded me into a stong personality and helped me over come the hindrances, I am always thankful to the God Almighty for giving me courage to face the adverse situations. I used to send my paintings to the Group shows; I received invitation from Lalita Kala Academy to join the Kalamela at Madras. This gave me a sense of satisfaction and great joy.
The famous Daily News paper from Pune "Kesari" wrote about me saying "It is difficult to understand this Kannada Artist". Well known Art critic wrote in the Times of India "This is the original style of Devdas Shetty". He is a great Artist" wrote Asian Age. The Karnataka Malla said "Devdas is a natural Artist, who can bring golden touch to Aluminium sheets", "He is an Artist with human touch who values sentiments and love" wrote Hindu. "To see the dancing lines in arts, you must go to Devdas Shetty's show" summed up Liclayavani. He is a tireless Artists" said India Today. Famous Kannada writer Jayant Kaikini paid the tribute, saying "he is an unique gift from Karnataka to the Art world and his paintings are equivalent to the picture of great surrealistic Artist Degas". Once, one of the greatest Artist Shri K. K. Hebbar came to the show with his wife and blessed me. I will not forget this great moment throughout my life.
I still remember my grand mother and her kitchen. I also remember the food cooked by my mother. I remember the sand, cow-dunged walls, the "chappals" given by my father, My dad's umbrella. I like very much the classical songs and old Hindi songs. I have painted many dance and musical sequences in my paintings. In 1986 I thought of doing something new and I started painting five tatvas of this world. Then, once I saw a crow eating flesh of a dead cow and I painted "Crow and Yoni". When my loving sister passed away I painted "Death" in her memory. Somewhere the funeral pyre is lit and in the neighbourhood a child is born and I painted "Rebirth". I made a painting of 3feet X l2feet and donated it to Bunts Sangha, Mumbai and they never cared to keep it in a proper condition.
After my introduction to Kannadigas I organised a show at World Bunts Conference at Bangalore. Here I displayed specially made paintings concerning Dakshina Kannada culture like 'Buffalo Race' Cock fight', 'Naaga Bana', 'Naaga Mandala', 'Yakshagana', 'Kola' etc. The Dakshina Kannada life style was presented in series of canvas.
I always think that man is full of potential and one should realize this and work accordingly. The Artist should respond to the happenings around him. I am u lover of simplicity and I guess, I have led a simple life thus far. And finally, anybody asks me a question "what will you leave behind?" and my answer would be "Some canvasses, some colour tubes, broken brushes, two three whispering lines, some unfinished works and some plain canvases". Let the God give happiness, joy to each and every living being and let the life win; this is my sincere wish.
Namaste.
DEVDAS SHETTY
MAN OF METTLE
Devdas Shetty is a selfmade man, an artist who works, literally from the gut, There is an existing relationship between Shetty's murals and his canvasses. The imagery is vivid, neither blindly realistic nor puzzling abstract. Such murals as Mother and Child, and Sound of Sea have a pictorial quality which may as well belong to a painting. The metal mural Ganesh treats the anatony of the Elephant God in inspired contours which are as stylised as they are expansive. The figure is seated at ease on clusters of leaves. The decorative backdrop as well as the "Om" sign seem to be just appropriate to the whole treatment. Compare them with paintings as Flower Seller and still not come and it will be seen that the metal and the canvases respond to the same imagination. The use of colour binds together the works in two diverse media. Thus Shetty alternates skillfully between painting and metal mural. Devdas Shetty was born and educated in Bombay. He made his debut at one-man show in 1971 in the Jehangir Art Gallery. Since then he has more than 30 one-man shows and an equal number of group shows to his credit. He has exhibited his works in Bombay, Madras, Bangalore and Delhi. His works have featured in exhibition held in Burma, Japan, Germany, London. About himself Shetty says "Things here are like an open book for me. There is no end to my reading this
book. My paintings are also an extention of my observation. "Such an attitude has invested, Devdas Shetty with an intensity of approach and a concern for human values. Critics have noted that he does not adopt any "intellectual poses". He is prompted rather by his emotion than any kind of the arising. This endows Shetty's work with as much power as clarity. He appeals to us on a level which draws together feelings as well as senses.
Dyaneshwar Nadkarni 6-3-95
The Times of India.
The Times of India.
HIS WORKS
Devdas Shetty is an intense person with a firm belief in human values and a fine sense of humour. His humble childhood and difficult upbringing have made him an assured, explorative and gentle person. He loves life in all its details. His art is humble and growing. It is a fine blend of natural and abstract. His images and situations are real, but compo-sitions are surreal. He works wonders with simple human situations on his canvasses and murals. His subtle sense of colour makes his images vibrate with shades of pathos and lights of compassion. Most outstanding quality of Devdas's work is that it is free of cerebral stances. His art involves more from his heart than from his brain. So it makes a straight human contact with the viewer and imparts a lingering aesthetic warmth. What more can an artist ask for his dedicated pursuit?
Jayant Kaikini 25-3-95
Sudha, Bangalore.
Sudha, Bangalore.
DEVDAS SHETTY
Born & educated Bombay has participated in many Open Exhibitions organised by : Bombay Art Society, Art Society of India, Mysore Dassera Exhibition's, Lalit Kala Academy Shows, Maharashtra State Art Exhibition, And Many More Exhibitions held in All India Level and Abroad also. A product of M. S. Joshi Institute & Sir J. J. School of Arts, Mumbai.
EXHIBITIONS
1970 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY
1970 OASIS ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1971 VENKATAPPA ART GALLERY, BANGALORE
1972 SRINAGAR ART GALLERY, UDUPI D.K.
1972 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1973 HOECHST MESS, BOMBAY
1974 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1976 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1977 LIONS PAVILION MULUND, MUMBAI
1978 VENKATAPPA ART GALLERY, BANGALORE
1978 SRINAGAR ART GALLERY, UDUPI D.K.
1979 TAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1980 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1983 TAT GALLERY, MUMBAI
1983 VENKATAPPA ART GALLERY, BANGALORE
1984 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1986 TAJ ART GALLERY, BOMBAY
1988 CHITRAKALA PARISHAT, BANGALORE
1989 TAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1991 TAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1991 SEA ROCK ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1992 HERITAGE GALLERY, MADRAS
1993 TAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1993 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1994 GALLERY "42", DELHI
1995 TAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1995 CHITRAKALA PARISHAT, BANGALORE
1995 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1996 HERITAGE ART GALLERY, MADRAS
1996 LALITKALA GALLERY, MADRAS
1997 GALLERY LALITKALA ACADEMY, MADRAS
1998 CHITRAKALA PARISHAT
1998 HERITAGE, MADRAS
1999 PRADASHAK
1999 THE LEELA
1999 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY
1999 VISVESVARAYYA HALL, MATUNGA
2000 TAJ ART GALLERY
2000 PEARL ART GALLERY
2001 PRADARSHAK ART GALLERY
2001 AAKAR GALLERY, BANGALORE
2002 VINYASA ART GALLERY, MADRAS
2003 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2004 PRADARSHAK ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2005 REVATI ART GALLERY, MADRAS
2005 GALLERIA LEELA, MUMBAI
2006 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY
2008 KOHINOOR CONTINENTAL GALLERY, MUMBAI
2010 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2011 SHANTI NIKETAN ART GALLERY, KOLKATA
2012 PRASAD ART GALLERY, MANGALORE
2014 DELHI KARNATAKA SANGHA ART GALLERY
2015 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2016 KOHINOOR CONTINENTAL GALLERY, MUMBAI
2017 PRASAD ART GALLERY, MANGALORE
2018 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2019 UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
2020 UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
*Exhibition Held at: West-indies, Egypt, U.S.A., London & Dubai
*Total 75 - One man Exhibitions
*Specially invited to make and exhibit paintings in 1st World's Bunt's Convention in Hebbala, *Bangalore by Late Dr. Jivraj Alva, Chief Guest, Late Dr. Shivram Karant, & Late Shri Kayyar Kinjanna Rai - noted writers from Karnataka.
GROUP SHOWS
1975 BURMA - ARRANGED BY B. A. SOCIETY
1975 JAPAN - ARRANGED BY JAPAN ART & CULTURAL SOCIETY
1977 LION'S PAVILION, MULUND, BOMBAY
1977 TV INTERVIEW (6TH JUNE REFLECTIONS)
1980 DELHI, BOMBAY, KANPUR
1985 DELHI, BANGALORE 1989 KANPUR, CALCUTTA
1991 APNA BAZAAR, MULUND, BOMBAY
1991 HOECHST CANTEEN EXTENSION, (FOR 3 DAYS)
1991 FOOTPATH SHOW, DADAR
1992 DELHI 1993 BHAGAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1994 CALCUTTA, BANGALORE DELHI, AURANGABAD
1995 CALCUTTA, MADRAS DELHI, AURANGABAD
1996 BANGALORE REGULAR ATTENDING OF ALL GROUP SHOWS ALL OVER INDIA
* Art campus in All India Level - 25nos., 6 Camps in Alva's Varna Virasat - D.K.
* Total 35 to 40 Group Shows.
COLLECTION IN
GERMANY, JAPAN, FRANCE, USA, INDONESIA, SAUDI ARABIA, DUBAI, MALLAYSIA, BURMA CANADA, ENGLAND, SINGAPORE, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRALIA, AFRICA, INDIA, THAILAND, RUSSIA, PARIS, PAKISTAN, CYLONE.
COLLECTION IN INDIA WITH
• HOECHST INDIA LTD.
• NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART
• ROUSSEL PHARMA
• KISHOR PAREK ASSOCIATES
• TAT GROUP OF HOTELS
• EASTERN AGENCIES
• COONWOOD GROUP OF COMPANIES
• VAKIL & SONS
• TATA PRESS
• MANGAL TIRTH ESTATE (MADRAS)
• AIR INDIA
• HONGKONG BANK
• INDIAN AIR LINES
• PROCTER & GAMBLE
• MAFATLALS
• COLGATE PALMOLIVE
• ORBIT TOUR & TRAVELS
• SYNDICATE BANK
• KARNATAKA BANK
• MARIS SPONNERS PVT. LTD., MADRAS
• MAPP ADVERTISING
• HASMUKHRAI & CO.
• PAN PARAG, KANPUR
• S. M. INDUSTRIES
• HOTEL RED ROSE, THANE
• WELLCOME GROUP OF COMPANIES
• RADHA SALES CORP DELHI
• BOMBAY HOUSING CORPORATION
• SAMIR DIAMOND'S
• CENTURY BHAVAN
• BANK OF AMERICA
• RICH BOND TOUR TRAVELS
• INDUCTOTHERAM, BOMBAY
• HOTEL SANMANI, MULUND
• CITI BANK MANY MORE COMPANY'S INDIA AND ABROAD
WITH INDIVIDUALS
• DR. REDEN, GERMANY
• XIVER MARQUIS
• VINOD GOENKA
• DR. TIVARAJ ALVA
• ASWIN MEHTA-SAMIR DIAMONDS
• KIRIT KAMDAR, U.S.A.
• R. BALTIN HOECHST - GERMANY
• PANKAJ VORA, MUMBAI
• K. M. GOENKA, MUMBAI
• MOTI DARENANI, MUMBAI
• AJAY MEHRA - DELHI
• MRS. & MR. SULE (DAUGHTER OF SHARAD PAWAR, EX-CHIEF MINISTER)
• PAT & THOMAS, ENGLAND
• SHIVKARAN SINGH, DELHI
• ROHIT JUNEJO, DELHI
• ANAND RANGASWAMY, CHENNAI
• ANDRE LANE, USA
• VIKRAM KOTARI, KANPUR
• PAN PARAG, KANPUR
• MRS. MENONS, BANGALORE
• NANIK CHANDIRAMANI, U.S.A.
• DR. RAJ MAKKAR, U.S.A.
• JAGDISH VEDIKA HEMRAJNI, U.S.A.
• PADMA RANKA
• VINOD ANEJA
• SANT KUMAR SANGNERIA, DELHI
• MRS. SHAHNAZ TAPLNIN, CANADA
• MADHUKAR SHAH
• DR. USHA MOHANDAS, BANGALORE
• RUKSHAN KRISHNA, (HOECHST)
• REMA RAVIADRA, CHENNAI
• BABU SHETTY, HOTEL GURU PRASAD, MUMBAI
• DR. BEDZOING K. GERMANY
• DR. SIYAN, ENGLAND
• RAJU KRIPLANI, MUMBAI
• PROF. DR. PETER HAMMANN, GERMANY
• AMAR HASMUK RAT, MUMBAI
• DR. SATYA PRAKASH SHETTY, MULUND
• PREM SACHDEVA, MULUND
• ARCHANA MEHTA
• "RAMEE" GROUP OF HOTELS, KUWAIT AND MUMBAI
• CHANDRA. MIRCHANDANI, MUMBAI
AWARDS
• Bombay Art Society (Cash Award) - 1973
• Art Society of India - 1974
• Shanti Niketan Friend's Group Award (Calcatta) - 1976
• Tulu-Sahitya Award - 1997
• Bombay Bunt's Association - 1997
• Mumbai Bunts Sangha Award - 2003
• Sir-Vishweshrayya Prasasti - 2003
• Kannada Kala Bhushana, Prashathi Hubli - 2004
• Karnataka Kala Ratna - 2010
• Alva's Varna Virsat Certificate - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
• Dr. Mohan Alva - Varna Virsat National Award - 2013
• Jain - Kala Bushana Award - 2013 :
• Mumbai University Kannada Dept. Award - 2013
•:Mogasale Pratisthna Kantavera Lalitkala Purskara Kantavera, D.K.- 2014
• Kannada Kalvidra Parishatu, Mumbai - 2015
•:Bharat-Vikas-Ratn Rashtriya Prassthi - 2017
• Bombay Bunts Association Award - 2018
• Mulund Bunts Special Award - 2018
• Pune Buntara Sangha - Bunts Kalpavarksha Award - 2019
Books Written by DEVDAS SHETTY (Kannada & English)
• 1979 - "Devdas" (English) No Copies
• 2006 - "Images Achieved by Life" (Engligh)
• 2006 - "Blossomed Flowers" (Mix Language)
• 2002 - "Baduku Bidisid Chhragalu Kannada
• 2015 - "Naanu" (Kannada)
• 2015 - "Kalavasanthada Maamara (Kannada) Kantavara
• 2017 - "DEVDAS" his life's master strokes (all in line drawings) Kannada & English
1) Biggest Metal Mural Art — 100 x 6 ft. — Spancer Plaza, Chennai
2) Biggest Ganesha Mural Art — 25 ft. x 25 ft. — Spancer Plaza, Chennai
3) 'Symbols' Metal Art Work for Spancer Plaza — 65 ft x 6 ft
4) Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi Festival — 30 ft. x 5 ft. Brookefield, Coimbature
5) Creation — 4 ft. x 10 ft. Metal Mural Art Work on Education for Alvas Educational Trust, Moodubidri.
6) Creation 2 : For Alva's Puttige College, Puttige, Moodubidri, D.K. (Size : 5 ft x 30 ft)
7) "SYMBOLS" — Size : 12' x 6' (1) CANVAS, ALVAS College, Mood Bidri (D.K.)
8) TULU's — NADA — SYMBOLS - Size 5' x 5' ROUND PAINTING. Alvas College, Mood Bidri.
2011 SHANTI NIKETAN ART GALLERY, KOLKATA
2012 PRASAD ART GALLERY, MANGALORE
2014 DELHI KARNATAKA SANGHA ART GALLERY
2015 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2016 KOHINOOR CONTINENTAL GALLERY, MUMBAI
2017 PRASAD ART GALLERY, MANGALORE
2018 JEHANGIR ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
2019 UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
2020 UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI
*Exhibition Held at: West-indies, Egypt, U.S.A., London & Dubai
*Total 75 - One man Exhibitions
*Specially invited to make and exhibit paintings in 1st World's Bunt's Convention in Hebbala, *Bangalore by Late Dr. Jivraj Alva, Chief Guest, Late Dr. Shivram Karant, & Late Shri Kayyar Kinjanna Rai - noted writers from Karnataka.
GROUP SHOWS
1975 BURMA - ARRANGED BY B. A. SOCIETY
1975 JAPAN - ARRANGED BY JAPAN ART & CULTURAL SOCIETY
1977 LION'S PAVILION, MULUND, BOMBAY
1977 TV INTERVIEW (6TH JUNE REFLECTIONS)
1980 DELHI, BOMBAY, KANPUR
1985 DELHI, BANGALORE 1989 KANPUR, CALCUTTA
1991 APNA BAZAAR, MULUND, BOMBAY
1991 HOECHST CANTEEN EXTENSION, (FOR 3 DAYS)
1991 FOOTPATH SHOW, DADAR
1992 DELHI 1993 BHAGAT ART GALLERY, MUMBAI
1994 CALCUTTA, BANGALORE DELHI, AURANGABAD
1995 CALCUTTA, MADRAS DELHI, AURANGABAD
1996 BANGALORE REGULAR ATTENDING OF ALL GROUP SHOWS ALL OVER INDIA
* Art campus in All India Level - 25nos., 6 Camps in Alva's Varna Virasat - D.K.
* Total 35 to 40 Group Shows.
COLLECTION IN
GERMANY, JAPAN, FRANCE, USA, INDONESIA, SAUDI ARABIA, DUBAI, MALLAYSIA, BURMA CANADA, ENGLAND, SINGAPORE, SWITZERLAND, AUSTRALIA, AFRICA, INDIA, THAILAND, RUSSIA, PARIS, PAKISTAN, CYLONE.
COLLECTION IN INDIA WITH
• HOECHST INDIA LTD.
• NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART
• ROUSSEL PHARMA
• KISHOR PAREK ASSOCIATES
• TAT GROUP OF HOTELS
• EASTERN AGENCIES
• COONWOOD GROUP OF COMPANIES
• VAKIL & SONS
• TATA PRESS
• MANGAL TIRTH ESTATE (MADRAS)
• AIR INDIA
• HONGKONG BANK
• INDIAN AIR LINES
• PROCTER & GAMBLE
• MAFATLALS
• COLGATE PALMOLIVE
• ORBIT TOUR & TRAVELS
• SYNDICATE BANK
• KARNATAKA BANK
• MARIS SPONNERS PVT. LTD., MADRAS
• MAPP ADVERTISING
• HASMUKHRAI & CO.
• PAN PARAG, KANPUR
• S. M. INDUSTRIES
• HOTEL RED ROSE, THANE
• WELLCOME GROUP OF COMPANIES
• RADHA SALES CORP DELHI
• BOMBAY HOUSING CORPORATION
• SAMIR DIAMOND'S
• CENTURY BHAVAN
• BANK OF AMERICA
• RICH BOND TOUR TRAVELS
• INDUCTOTHERAM, BOMBAY
• HOTEL SANMANI, MULUND
• CITI BANK MANY MORE COMPANY'S INDIA AND ABROAD
WITH INDIVIDUALS
• DR. REDEN, GERMANY
• XIVER MARQUIS
• VINOD GOENKA
• DR. TIVARAJ ALVA
• ASWIN MEHTA-SAMIR DIAMONDS
• KIRIT KAMDAR, U.S.A.
• R. BALTIN HOECHST - GERMANY
• PANKAJ VORA, MUMBAI
• K. M. GOENKA, MUMBAI
• MOTI DARENANI, MUMBAI
• AJAY MEHRA - DELHI
• MRS. & MR. SULE (DAUGHTER OF SHARAD PAWAR, EX-CHIEF MINISTER)
• PAT & THOMAS, ENGLAND
• SHIVKARAN SINGH, DELHI
• ROHIT JUNEJO, DELHI
• ANAND RANGASWAMY, CHENNAI
• ANDRE LANE, USA
• VIKRAM KOTARI, KANPUR
• PAN PARAG, KANPUR
• MRS. MENONS, BANGALORE
• NANIK CHANDIRAMANI, U.S.A.
• DR. RAJ MAKKAR, U.S.A.
• JAGDISH VEDIKA HEMRAJNI, U.S.A.
• PADMA RANKA
• VINOD ANEJA
• SANT KUMAR SANGNERIA, DELHI
• MRS. SHAHNAZ TAPLNIN, CANADA
• MADHUKAR SHAH
• DR. USHA MOHANDAS, BANGALORE
• RUKSHAN KRISHNA, (HOECHST)
• REMA RAVIADRA, CHENNAI
• BABU SHETTY, HOTEL GURU PRASAD, MUMBAI
• DR. BEDZOING K. GERMANY
• DR. SIYAN, ENGLAND
• RAJU KRIPLANI, MUMBAI
• PROF. DR. PETER HAMMANN, GERMANY
• AMAR HASMUK RAT, MUMBAI
• DR. SATYA PRAKASH SHETTY, MULUND
• PREM SACHDEVA, MULUND
• ARCHANA MEHTA
• "RAMEE" GROUP OF HOTELS, KUWAIT AND MUMBAI
• CHANDRA. MIRCHANDANI, MUMBAI
AWARDS
• Bombay Art Society (Cash Award) - 1973
• Art Society of India - 1974
• Shanti Niketan Friend's Group Award (Calcatta) - 1976
• Tulu-Sahitya Award - 1997
• Bombay Bunt's Association - 1997
• Mumbai Bunts Sangha Award - 2003
• Sir-Vishweshrayya Prasasti - 2003
• Kannada Kala Bhushana, Prashathi Hubli - 2004
• Karnataka Kala Ratna - 2010
• Alva's Varna Virsat Certificate - 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015
• Dr. Mohan Alva - Varna Virsat National Award - 2013
• Jain - Kala Bushana Award - 2013 :
• Mumbai University Kannada Dept. Award - 2013
•:Mogasale Pratisthna Kantavera Lalitkala Purskara Kantavera, D.K.- 2014
• Kannada Kalvidra Parishatu, Mumbai - 2015
•:Bharat-Vikas-Ratn Rashtriya Prassthi - 2017
• Bombay Bunts Association Award - 2018
• Mulund Bunts Special Award - 2018
• Pune Buntara Sangha - Bunts Kalpavarksha Award - 2019
Books Written by DEVDAS SHETTY (Kannada & English)
• 1979 - "Devdas" (English) No Copies
• 2006 - "Images Achieved by Life" (Engligh)
• 2006 - "Blossomed Flowers" (Mix Language)
• 2002 - "Baduku Bidisid Chhragalu Kannada
• 2015 - "Naanu" (Kannada)
• 2015 - "Kalavasanthada Maamara (Kannada) Kantavara
• 2017 - "DEVDAS" his life's master strokes (all in line drawings) Kannada & English
1) Biggest Metal Mural Art — 100 x 6 ft. — Spancer Plaza, Chennai
2) Biggest Ganesha Mural Art — 25 ft. x 25 ft. — Spancer Plaza, Chennai
3) 'Symbols' Metal Art Work for Spancer Plaza — 65 ft x 6 ft
4) Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi Festival — 30 ft. x 5 ft. Brookefield, Coimbature
5) Creation — 4 ft. x 10 ft. Metal Mural Art Work on Education for Alvas Educational Trust, Moodubidri.
6) Creation 2 : For Alva's Puttige College, Puttige, Moodubidri, D.K. (Size : 5 ft x 30 ft)
7) "SYMBOLS" — Size : 12' x 6' (1) CANVAS, ALVAS College, Mood Bidri (D.K.)
8) TULU's — NADA — SYMBOLS - Size 5' x 5' ROUND PAINTING. Alvas College, Mood Bidri.
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