Delhi artist chosen for the Ist Raza Award

A Delhi-based artist B Manjunath Kamath has been selected for the maiden Raza Puraskar instituted by Darda Foundation, Nagpur to commemorate the initial art training that the eminent artist, Syed Haider Raza, received in the city.

The award carries an amount of Rs 5 lakh and the function will be held in Delhi in June.  The 39-years-old artist was selected from amongst the 48 entries received from eminent artists, art critics, curators and institutions. Chairman of Lokmat Media Ltd and also chairman of Jawaharlal Darda Foundation, MP Vijay Darda told in a press conference, here on Monday.

Kamath has held his solo art exhibition titled, 'Collective Nouns' in Mumbai and 'Consious and Sub-conscious' later. The artist also participated in 'Art Celebrates 2010' at the Lalit Kala Academy. Kamath holds a degree in sculpture from Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts in Mysore.

Apart from Darda, the jury includes poet and chairman of Lalit Kala Academy Ashok Vajpayee, renowned painter Manu Parekh, filmmaker Kumar Sahni and art editor Bhawan Kakar.

From next year onwards, the function would be held on Feb 22, to coincide it with the Raza's birthday, Darda said.

The Foundation has plans to hold an exhibition of all the 48 entries, recommended by various   organisations.  It also plans to develop an international standard art galley in city.