M. K. Kelkar Memorial Lecture
Art India Foundation organised "M. K. Kelkar Memorial Lecture" on Tuesday 3rd September 2013 at Rachana Sansad College of Applied & Fine Art, Mumbai. This event was organized to recognize the contribution made by the late artist Shri. M. K. Kelkar to the field of fine art in general and watercolour art in particular. The Kelkar family supported this event.
About M. K. Kelkar
M. K. Kelkar started his life and career with a very modest beginning and had the opportunity to be the disciple of S. L. Haldankar, one of the doyens of watercolour painting in India. M. K. Kelkar was a prolific artist and had several shows in India and abroad. He was a popular art teacher as well and passed on his art to several students with the same missionary commitment that he saw in his mentor S. L. Haldankar. Like his guru, he would not charge any fees from his students.
Speakers at this event
Art India Foundation had invited Dr. Nalini Bhagwat, a well-known art teacher and historian to deliver the keynote address on this occasion. The subject chosen for this oration was "History and Evolution of Watercolour Art in India with a special focus on Bombay School"
Prof. Savita Saraf, Principal of Rachana Sansad, Mumbai was gracious to host this oration at the auditorium at Rachana Sansad, Mumbai. The event started with Prof. Savita Saraf welcoming the guests which included Mrs. Pratibha Kelkar (wife of late Shri. M. K. Kelkar), Dr. Nalini Bhagwat (keynote speaker), Milind Sathe (Director of Indiaart and Trustee of Art India Foundation) and Chitra Vaidya (artist, art teacher and a student of M K Kelkar). The auditorium was packed with art students.
This was followed by a brief address and presentation by Milind Sathe on the projects and initiatives of Art India Foundation and Indiaart and the thought behind the special oration.
After the introductory part of this event, Milind Sathe invited Mrs. Pratibha Kelkar to address the audience. She in a very simple yet effective style talked about her late husband Madhusudan Kelkar and his commitment to art. The audience was amazed to know that this lady, well past 80, has recently started painting and had a group show already!
This was followed by Chitra Vaidya who narrated how M K Kelkar was a wonderful and selfless teacher and an inspiration to all his students.
This was followed by the main talk by Dr. Nalini Bhagwat who took the audience through the eventful journey of watercolour art in India. The event concluded after a session of questions from the students as well as faculty members.