Kinnala Art

Kinnala Art is a relatively unknown and ancient Indian art form dating back to the 15th-16th centuries. It comes from a village called Kinhal in the Koppal district of Karnataka, India.

Background


India is home to different art forms, which survived through time. Diverse and distinct, these art forms that originate from different corners of the country, are representative of India’s rich culture and history.


The Kinnala art form is a craft that originated during the Vijayanagar empire and dates back nearly 700 years. It originated in a village called Kinhal, in Koppal district of North Karnataka, India. From the exquisite carvings of the famous Hamp chariot from the 15th-16th century, to the and the mural paintings in the Pampapateshwara temple the Kinnala art form can be seen in various places of historical significance in the region.

The Origin: The story behind the story


Creating religious idols has always been the forte of these artists, called chitragars, who have passed on their knowledge to the current generation of artisans. Vibrant colours and glossy finish on the Kinnal idols is common to illustrate the godly characters, animals and human characters.


The early practitioners of Kinnal arts, were painters of temples and palaces in Hampi, Karnataka. This art was patronized by the kings of Vijayanagara. Currently, there are only a few families who still keep the tradition alive. The chitragars create idols of Gods, animals, vegetables and fruit replicas.

Fig 1: Mural in a Jain Math in Shravanabelagola. Image Source: 'Indian Painting: The Great Mural Tradition' by Mira Seth

Fig 2: Stone chariot Hampi, Karnataka

The art form originated during the rule of the Vijaynagara Empire when kings invited crafts people from across India to come and work in capital Hampi. The early practitioners of Kinnala art, called ‘Çhitragars’ (which literally means the one who draws and paints), were painters of temples and palaces in Hampi. The famous mural paintings in the Pampapateshwara Temple, and the intricate work on the wooden chariot at Hampi, were completed by ancestors of the Kinnala artists of today.

Fig 3: Kinnal Art toys

Fig 4: (a) Soft wood from the tree ‘Ponki Marra’ (b) indigenous gum to assemble parts of doll

Fig 3: Karnataka has proudly shown kinnala art in 2013 Republic day parade

The wooden idols of Kinnala have been accorded a Geographical Indication (GI tag number 159). A GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

A team of artisans, including Kishore Chitragar, Neeta Chitragar, Ajay Chitragar and Manjunath Chitragar, participated in a tableaux to be presented by the state information department.

Kinnala idols are known for their vibrant colours and glossy finish. They usually depict gods, mythological characters or animals. Each Kinnala idol is entirely handmade,and the process is very laborious. The wood used to create the idols is from a tree called ‘Ponki Marra’, which grows in and around Kinhal village. This wood is soft and light weight, making it easy to sculpt.

Degenerating Art Form

Kinnal art form is a dying avocation with only 25 families in Kinhal village practicing the art of Kinnala. The lack of financial support, adequate training and economic viability is the reason that for the next generation of Kinnala artist families families looking for alternative reluctant to carry on this centuries’ old tradition. Only 25 family remained in the village who are struggling to preserve the heritage of Kinnala art.

Mr. Ekappa (an artist from Kinnal village) is in this line of Kinnala art for the last 48 years, he has trained many Kinnal youngsters in the art of making the toys. On an interview with freelance writer, Bindu Gopal Rao, Mr. Ekappa admitted that the returns were too small to hold the young back in the village or in the trade. “It involves a lot of hard work, and no art can survive without due recognition”.

Further, discouragement is the haggling that precedes every purchase. People like to bargain because they don’t see the long hours of work that go into the making of a doll the size of your palm.

Art work by Artist Santosh Kumar Chitrgar (Chief Trainer)