Imaginatively exploring the realm of traditional art and featuring a spectrum of nuanced emotions that brought to life the indomitable spirit of legendary actress ‘Savitri’, Telugu Film Chamber in Film Nagar, Hyderabad played host to the closing ceremony of the Art Show ‘Mahanati-The Retrospective’ conducted by the students of Creative Multimedia College of Fine Arts (CMCFA), Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad.
The Art Show featuring a compilation of over 70 true-to-life drawings were on display for two days, capturing the imagination of every visitor filing past the arranged exhibits. The full breadth of the students’ drawing skills were on display as they deployed a range of media and drawing tools to create photorealistic, abstract and impressionism-style drawings of legendary actress Savitri: one of India’s most versatile and accomplished film stars to have lit up the silver screen.
The closing ceremony of ‘Mahanati-The Retrospective’ attracted a host of film celebrities and veterans from the Media and Entertainment Industry. The Art Show opened its doors to the public earlier in the month of June at the famed Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University in Hyderabad, eliciting great appreciation from visitors. The closing ceremony was organized at the Telugu Film Chamber, Hyderabad to enable a wider audience and ended on a high with Creative Multimedia College and its Fine Arts students drawing tremendous praise from all quarters.
Speaking on the occasion, the producer of the film ‘Mahanati’, Swapna Dutt, who graced the event as the chief guest said that she was so glad she came here and exclaimed, “This is an ineffable, aesthetic experience; the best thing I could have ever had. Seeing these beautiful drawings of Savitri, it feels like we are back in time, witnessing her whole life again.”
Commending the students of CMCFA, she earnestly quipped, “Ever since your Art Show commenced last month, I’ve been waiting to come here and I’m so happy I did. You guys are extremely talented. You made these drawings with the same passion with which we made the film. Thank you. This is fantastic! You deserve all the success you need in your careers.” Appreciating Creative Multimedia College CEO Raja Sekhar Buggaveeti, she said, “Thank you, sir, for making this wonderful Art Show possible. I consider it a privilege to be part of Mahanati-The Retrospective.”
Dutt picked up a few drawings at the Art Show for a charitable value of Rs. o.2 million and requested Movie Artist’s Association (MAA) president Sivaji Raja to utilize the amount towards relief work for victims of flood-ravaged Kerala. Supporting this contribution, Buggaveeti presented a cheque of Rs. o.1 million as the sale proceeds from the Art Show to MAA president Raja and requested that this sum also be utilized for flood-relief efforts in Kerala, making it a total contribution of Rs. 0.3 million from the sale of Mahanati Savitri’s portraits.
A Telugu film actor Edida Sriram and son of film producer Edida Nagewsara Rao of Poornodaya Movie Creations also attended the Art Show as a special guest. Exhorting students to keep up the good work, he opined, “The drawings produced by the students of Creative Multimedia are high on aesthetics and exude emotional power. They have done it with absolute passion, and I can see why every visitor at this Art Show is overwhelmed.”
Expressing delight at the artistic expressions, he said, “Each exhibit comes across as an inspiring work of art that is beautiful in every sense. Words alone are not enough to convey my sense of wonder at the student’s skills. I wish all the students great success in their careers and congratulate Creative Multimedia College for the remarkable efforts in not only equipping students with a strong foundation in art but also providing a distinguished platform for them to demonstrate their drawing skills and to be recognized by the Media &Entertainment Industry.”
Raja and special guest at the closing ceremony of the Art Show congratulated the producers of the film Mahanati and commended the students of CMCFA saying, “The students have evoked a deep connect to yesteryear’s much-adored superstar Savitri through these photorealistic drawings.”
Addressing the gathering, Buggaveeti quipped, “It is the legend of Savitri that inspired the film Mahanati and this Art Show. Like a true Sagittarian, Savitri had boundless energy; a trait that pushed her to star in a whopping 250+ films. Her accolades include the Rashtrapathi Award, the Nandi Award and a postal stamp issued recently in her honour. I consider it a privilege that, besides the widely appreciated biopic Mahanati, Creative Multimedia has also played a small role in helping revive the memories of South India’s first female superstar. I thank all the guests for taking time out to grace the Art Show and for encouraging our students. I’m proud that this initiative has given our Fine Arts students a chance to combine ‘art with a purpose’ while establishing their drawing skills.”
Mahanati- The Retrospective, the 2018 edition of Creative Multimedia College’s annual Art Show is part of Creative Multimedia College’s wide-ranging initiatives aimed at ‘Enhancing Employability’ and bringing its Fine Arts students closer to the Digital Media and Entertainment industry.
