We are deeply saddened to inform you that our Patron member and ex-President Mr.Madhava Rao Pavanje passed away on 29th October 2021 in Bengaluru.He was the President of our Association for many years. We pray that may his Soul rest in eternal peace.
MADHAVA SMARANA
There goes a saying, Legends are bornt not made. This saying justifies to the veteran artist Madhava Rao Pavanje, who left us for his heavenly abode on 29/10/2021.
Madhava Rao Pavanje - or M.R Pavanje as he is better known – was a renowned portrait painter and commercial artist of the city. Hailing from the famous Pavanje Rao family, his grandfather Pavanje Gopalakrishnaiah was a graduate in fine arts from the prestigious J.J School of Arts Mumbai and had contribute to various text books and books issued by Basel Mission Press. Continuing that legacy, M.R Pavanje’s Uncle Dr.Narahari Gopalakrishna Pavanje or N.G Pavanje was sent by the Maharaja of Mysore to Germany where he obtained his doctoral degree in art from the Universities of Berlin and Leipzig. He also served as director of Chamarajendra Technical Training Institute Mysore where famous artists like K.K Hebbar were nurtured under his guidance. Hailing such prestigious family, M.R Pavanje was also a well-known commercial artist of city and headed the “Pavanje Art Studio” situated at Gopalakrishna temple Road in Carstreet. During the times when advertising field was in its infancy in the city, he used to design various advertisements. In addition to it his, art works have been decorated the various First Day Covers and Special Covers issued by Various Postal Circles of India.
An artist in demand, he has done various art works out of which his noteworthy work was the oil on canvas portrait of Dharmastala Manjayya Heggade, grandfather of Dr. D Veerendra Heggade, the religious head or Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala. The painting was made for his birth centenary exhibition held at PVS Kalakunja in the year 1989. The painting was so beautiful that, Manjayya Heggade’s daughter Smt. Vimala Ballal had out rightly purchased it. Apart from this, he has contributed to various art journals, and many portraits sketches were done by him. He was also well versed in different art techniques like oil painting, charcoal sketch, nib painting and others.
Apart from an art which was his profession, there are many unseen facets to his legend. Known as “Walking Encyclopedia”, he was knowledgeable in all the topics one can name. He was able to provide the correct information on any subject without using Google. Being Philatelist and Numismatist, he had an enormous collection of both stamps and coins, which fetched him, many laurels in international exhibitions. He also participated as Jury member in various exhibitions of stamps and coins. The specialty of his valuation was, he used to value the collection right before the participant and used to give feedback on how he can develop his collection and gather knowledge pertaining to the topics. Sometimes, he would even gift his rare stamps or coins to children who are interested in philately and numismatics, thereby encouraging them to grow. I’m one of the beneficiaries of his generosity of heart. He would later take constant reports from my father who was close to him, to check my progress in philately as I opted philately over numismatics. Even two days before his demise, he had spoken about me. His exhibits of stamps and coins were a treat to look at it, as it also featured some of his small line drawings pertaining to the subject on which the exhibit was crafted. Apart from judging the philatelic and numismatic events, he was also invited as Jury or judge to various drawing competitions.
Along with Philately and Numismatics, he was also an avid collector of antiquities. The entire layout of his 128+ years old “Pavanje House” complemented his collection. Adding to it, he could speak at length about all the items that he had, and would explain the significance so well. Wherever you went in that house, you would bump into either an antique or a canvas board. He also had an excellent collection of Manuscripts and Books pertaining to various subjects. He used to encourage youngsters in starting their own hobbies. Adding to it, he was one of the few who knew every nook and corner pertaining to the history of Tulunadu or Undivided Dakshina Kannada district.
He was an avid teacher and has trained many set of internationally famed artists. Well known artist like his neice Anu Pavanje, Veena Srinivas to name a few. Though he suffered from various issues, it didn’t stop him from teaching, gaining knowledge or enjoying the company of generations much younger than him.
