The Lakeside Campus of CMR University is alive with colour, creativity, and collaboration as the National Art Camp 2025 – Brushes & Beyond, unfolded on August 18, 2025. The ten-day celebration of artistic expression has become a hive of ideas, materials, and conversations, bringing together distinguished artists from across the nation. The fascinating art camp is designed to engage students in a variety of art forms such as clay and paper to paint, printmaking, and perspective drawing presenting a rare opportunity to students to learn directly from expert practitioners by nurturing dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Genius Chakma: Beauty of Lines
Tripura-born Genius Chakma was among the first participants to open the camp on August 18, with a session on the expressive power of line. Trained at Visva-Bharati Shantiniketan and the University of Hyderabad, Chakma worked on the theme ‘Monks, Bowls & Tree’ demonstrating how lines describe light and shade, connect and break forms, and shape positive and negative space.
Students were encouraged to create compositions from organic, geometric, and imagined sources. “I am very happy to be part of this wonderful art camp organised by CMR University,” he shared of the experience joyfully “The campus is beautiful, and it gives students the chance to interact with artists from different specialisations and broaden their horizons.”
Jigesh Kumar: Kirigami – Paper Pop-Up Explorations
The following day, Jigesh Kumar introduced participants to the delicate art of Kirigami. His workshop on paper pop-up explorations demonstrated how folding, cutting and layering can transform flat sheets into three-dimensional structures.
For students of architecture, the session became an enlightening exercise in structure, precision, patience and imagination, discovering how simple rules can produce complex spatial effects, where light shadow and structure play an important role as the folds themselves, connecting paper play to architectural thinking.
Sangeetha: Mud to Magic
At the workshop on August 20th, clay came alive in the hands of Sangeetha who introduced pinching, coiling and slab techniques to craft functional planters and decorative wall-hanging without using a wheel “I work with nature, monuments and traditional forms,” she said adding that the camp was a wonderful platform to connect with young learners. The process proved meditative and tactile to students, grounding design ideas in the material’s natural behaviour. They also explored surface textures, basic design principles and finishing methods that honour clay’s origins.
Sharath N. S. B : Architectural & Perspective Drawing
In the afternoon, Sharath N. S. B. led a session on ‘Architectural and Perspective’ drawing. His workshop focused on the foundations of one-and two-point perspective, equipping students with the tools to render buildings with depth and clarity. The session taught them to balance accuracy with expression, which is crucial for communicating spatial ideas, a theme that resonated with learners refining their visual vocabulary.
Through guided drills, Sharath reflected on his artistic journey, noting how his work captures “the contrast between rural roots and modern spaces.”
Gangadhar Bandanavar: Ramayana through Art
On 21 August, Gangadhar Bandanavar delivered a deeply cultural workshop centred on the Ramayana. Using simple tools like watercolours and pencils, to reimagine episodes from the epic including Rama’s resolve to Hanuman’s devotion, participants discovered how simple processes can elevate mythological storytelling. His work depicting the chaos disturbing Kumbhakarana’s eternal sleep was deeply admired.
Inspired by traditional leather puppetry, Bandanavar described the session as a way to “recreate the Ramayana using natural colours and classic techniques.” He called the class a meditative journey that made classic narratives accessible to beginners.
Nilesh Kashyap – Kitchen Lithography
Nilesh Kashyap from Raipur, Chhattisgarh introduced ‘Kitchen lithography,’ an eco-friendly method that replaces chemicals with regular materials. This eco-friendly printmaking process recreates traditional lithography.
Students learned to draw with oil media on aluminium foil, then developed and printed using household tools, experiencing the magic of printmaking without specialised equipment. Trained in printmaking, at Khairagarh University, Nilesh expressed his happiness at being able to share this sustainable artistic approach with students.
‘Brushes & Beyond’ continues through the week, building on the blend of tradition, technique, and contemporary exploration seen in the opening days. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing students the opportunity to learn directly from practicing artists, fostering a space for hands-on experience, reflection, and creative growth. The open event will conclude on August 28th, 2025.