Arnawaz Vasudev Charities will host its biannual art camp at Cholamandal Artists’ Village from February 21-24

For over 25 years, Arnawaz Vasudev Charities has quietly supported and attempted to encourage the individualistic voices of Indian artists trying to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Founded in 1989 by renowned painter SG Vasudev in memory of his wife Arnawaz, the trust was envisioned as a way to give back to the artistic community. Today, it has supported nearly 200 artists, many of whom have gone on to establish strong professional practices, says BO Shailesh, one of the trustees with visible pride.

Arnawaz Vasudev Charities is back with its biannual camp at Cholamandal Artists’ Village, where selected artists are invited to stay for four days, with accommodation, materials and space provided. The camp will begin on February 21, followed by an artists’ presentation on February 22 at Laburnum and Indigo galleries. The camp is set to end on February 24. The participating artists this year are Meera Unnikrishnan, Rakesh Kumar, Ranganath Amrad, Sreelakshmi KS and Veeresh Rudraswami.

Speaking on the success of the camps, Shailesh says, “Ninety percent of the artists are now in a very good position. That is one of the prides of our charity.” Each year, the trust awards scholarships to around 8-12 artists. It also extends assistance to art students with financial impediments. “If anybody gets a scholarship abroad and needs help, we have supported a couple of artists by giving their flight ticket,” he explains. The aim is not simply to fund projects but to remove barriers that might prevent promising artists from advancing.

Artwork by artist Veeresh Rudraswami
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The camp is designed as spaces of experimentation, dialogue and exchange, where young practitioners can test ideas without commercial pressure. “In return, we don’t take any of their artworks. We don’t acquire anything. This is purely supporting artists,” Shailesh says.

The founding trustees of the camp are Shanta Guhan, Girish Karnad and SG Vasudev and the present trustees are BO Shailesh, Bharani V Setlur, Mala Chinnappa, RM Palaniappan and SG Vasudev. Shailesh says that for those involved in organising the camps, the experience is deeply rewarding.

“The best part is we get to meet many different artists,” he says. “Whenever we go to exhibitions, I am always thinking—who is the best youngster here? How can we invite them? How can we support them?” This constant search for new talent keeps the organisers engaged with evolving contemporary practices. “When I meet young artists, I come to know what new media they are using, how they explore it, how they defend themselves in the art scenario,” he says, adding that they are artists like Shanthamani Muddaiah and Vijay Pichumani who have gone on to receive many accolades post the camp.

The camps have produced memorable experiments. Shantamani created a cloud-like installation from charcoal and suspended it among trees. “For almost ten days, I was watching the way she made it,” he recalls. Another built a large hanging nest from dry sticks and sand-filled sacks, inviting viewers to climb and whisper wishes inside before it was ceremonially burned. “It comes from nature and goes back to nature,” he says.

For the trustees, such moments affirm their mission. “Whatever artists we invite are not getting wasted,” Shailesh says. “They are staying in art. We are very proud of that.”