As soon as I enter his house I see a canvas frame with no painting in it but two walking sticks diagonally aligned on the frame, and paint brushes sticking out of his favorite pens. That was creative! But this was just the beginning, when I started my interview I was surprised to discover a teacher, an artist and a poet. Datta Kamakar’s paintings are exhibited in the art galleries in India as well as abroad like Indonesia, France, Atlanta and Washington D.C. But he has come a long way.
In the year 1996 and 1998 he went through ups and downs who was then a lecturer in Gogte college. He had to think of an alternative
job to strengthen his economic status, and so he chose painting as his means for sustaining his livelihood. In the year 1999 he launched his
first painting exhibition and also demonstrated mouth painting. Ask him where he learned this art from he says from a paraplegic person in
a paraplegic home in Pune. He has so far done more than 300 paintings, penned down 60-70 poems and is still a successful lecturer with experience of 18 years. He was born in Chikodi and he has completed his post graduation in Economics from Rani Chennamma University, Belgaum.
Excerpts from the interview:
1) How would you define God?
God is the one who is accepted by all. He does not respond to our prayers. I believe in one God and he exists in my work and my prayers. It’s a power it has no gender. God is infinite and we can feel God’s existence in every substance.
2) What does a prayer mean to you?
A prayer has got nothing to do with ones pain and pleasure. Most of the times, it is just our hard work that takes us out of pain. I don’t challenge his existence. But I believe that doing karma with holistic approach is a must. If you are praying to God everyday that does not mean you are away from the hiccups of life.
3) Has God ever been your subject for painting?
I once did a painting of Lord Ganesha. I did it for a friend and gifted that painting to him.
4) Which is your favorite festival?
The entire life which is in between birth and death is my favorite festival.
5) Do you believe in religious customs?
I don’t object my family members to celebrate any festival. Sometimes even I am a part of the customs but I don’t really worship idols.
6) Do you think most artists are atheists?
A believer or a non-believer— these distinct are drawn by man. Even though I don’t believe in idols I visit temples. I believe in the supernatural power. I believe in nature. Most artists think out of the box and sometimes his imaginations appear weird to people.
7) Define secularism in your own words.
It’s a govt. set up rule. It has got nothing to do with the religion. Secularism is very close to nature.