It is often said that exploring your backyard can reveal hidden treasures and this really holds true in a city like this. Nmm Bengaluru. While roaming the lanes of Rajajinagar, I came across a precious thing – Rumale Art House. Tucked away in the middle of residential houses, this small but charming gallery is dedicated to the works of Rumale Chennabasavia.
A truly multifaceted personality, Rumale (1910-1988), apart from being an accomplished artist, was also a freedom fighter, social activist and editor.
Located in Rumale’s old residence, the Rumale Art House houses around 120 original works of the artist and is run by Sanjay Kabe, whose father was a close friend of Rumale. “We have around 90 frames on display at all times. We keep changing the canvases so the place stays fresh throughout the year,” says Sanjay.
Rumale Art House | Photo Credit: Mallikarjun Katakol
Established in 1973, Rumale Art House is one of the oldest art galleries in the city.
Role in India’s Independence
Born in 1910, Rumale played a key role in the freedom struggle and was a participant in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement during 1930-1947. From 1947-1962, he was deeply involved in several nation-building activities, including the establishment of the Seva Dal, which trained youth to serve the nation.
Twice he was elected member of the Legislative Council of Mysore State and also worked for a Kannada daily tainadu As an editor. Yet, despite all these engagements, art remained Rumale’s first love, having studied it at the Kalamandir School of Art at the Chamarajendra Technical Institute in Mysore. He decided to pursue his passion from 1962 after bidding adieu to politics.
a favourite subject
The main themes of Rumale’s works were nature and street scenes of Bangalore. He mostly used watercolours and oil colours and his work was characterised by fast, sharp brush strokes and abundant use of vibrant colours.
A work by Rumale Chennabasaviya | Photo courtesy: Mallikarjun Katakol
“Rumale was naturally talented and had a knack for blending colours on paper, which made his work unique and gave the artwork a distinct texture. Bold strokes were his signature style,” says Sanjay, who was closely associated with the artist’s life. Rumale used this technique which was almost similar to impasto in all his plein-air paintings, similar to the style of Dutch great Vincent van Gogh.
Whether it is the yellow flowers of Navrang Park in Rajajinagar or the bright orange gulmohars in Cubbon Park, the brilliance and depth in his artwork cannot be ignored. Sanjay, who often accompanied Rumale on his explorations, says, “He was always thorough in his preparation – he would visit a location, study the subject and start painting at that location when the light was right.” Apart from nature, his works depicting old houses and petrol stations have a fresh appeal and are a treat to the eyes.
Spiritual Dimension
Rumale was very spiritually devoted and followed the teachings of his gurus, Guru Sri Sri Sri Shivabalayogi Maharaj and Sriman Tapasviji Maharaj. In fact, his first artwork was made at the age of 12 and it was a sketch of Jesus Christ. Apart from nature, Rumale has also painted many deities, religious places and temples of Karnataka.
at Rumale Art House
Notable among these are the temples of Renuka Yellamma, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara and Sridi Sai Baba, besides several statues of Lord Shiva. The paintings of the Sangameswara temple at Kudalasangam are particularly noteworthy, as they show a very exuberant use of colours and a radiance of energy.
Rumale also did some portraits, including those of both his gurus, Sanjay’s father Madhab Kabe and Sanjay and his sister Shabaladevi Kabe. Just like his paintings on nature, his paintings are also known for their eclectic colour palette, which includes warm tones of rust, ochre and red in oil paint and cool shades of blue and green in watercolours, giving them a different dimension.
Sanjay recalls, “My father and Rumale met in 1955 and they had a brotherly relationship. Our family of four and Rumale lived together in this house.”
A work by Rumale Chennabasaviya | Photo courtesy: Mallikarjun Katakol
Rumale Art House was founded by Rumale himself and he displayed his work there from 1973 until his death in 1988. Since then, the gallery has been managed by Sanjay, who has held retrospective exhibitions on Rumale’s work in other cities.
“We have held exhibitions at the Indian Institute of World Culture in Basavanagudi, Bangalore International Centre and the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai. Our aim is to spread awareness and give people a chance to see Rumale’s works,” says Sanjay.
Rumale Art House is located at 674, 45th Cross Road, 3rd Block, Rajajinagar. Open on all days from 10:30 am to 5 pm, except Tuesdays.
