In Mangaluru, a 76-year-old artist is making a significant difference in a local government school. B Dayananda, founder of Daya School of Arts, has dedicated nearly four years to teaching charcoal painting to students at Sandpit Bengre Government Higher Primary School. He provides these lessons completely free of charge.
Turning Art into Essential Support
Dayananda noticed the school lacked basic amenities during his teaching sessions. He decided to take action by organizing a fundraising initiative. The artist displayed artwork created by his students at the Kala Parbha art exhibition. Each charcoal painting carried a price tag of 500 rupees.
The immediate goal involves purchasing an inverter for the school. Dayananda explained that classrooms become too dark during monsoon seasons. With increasing reliance on digital education tools, reliable power backup has become essential. "We hope to raise funds for an inverter by selling the students' charcoal paintings," Dayananda told reporters.
A Lifelong Commitment to Art Education
Dayananda brings considerable experience to his volunteer work. He graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 1974. His training included mentorship under renowned artist Ramdas Shevgoor and studies at BGM School of Art. Shevgoor remains his favorite teacher and inspiration.
For approximately ten years, Dayananda has taught charcoal painting in about five government schools. These include institutions in Kapikad and Gandhinagar areas. He expresses genuine admiration for his students' abilities. "The talent government school children possess is amazing," Dayananda said. "They show so much love and enthusiasm and look forward to coming and sitting with me."
School's Perspective on the Initiative
Umalakshmi K, headmistress of Sandpit Bengre Government Higher Primary School, appreciates Dayananda's efforts. She noted that while students demonstrate keen interest in drawing, they previously lacked proper instruction. The school has no dedicated art teacher among its staff.
"The school has a strength of just 75 students and no drawing teacher," Umalakshmi explained. "Dayananda has been taking up free classes for the past four years, usually on Saturdays. It was entirely his idea to do something for the school."
She revealed that Dayananda previously contributed funds by selling his own artwork. His current project focuses specifically on student creations. If fundraising exceeds expectations, additional improvements will follow. These include constructing a compound wall and installing a steel basin in the handwash area.
Community Support and Future Plans
The headmistress acknowledged that the school operates with substantial community assistance. Donors and School Development and Monitoring Committee members provide crucial support. "When we see what Dayananda is doing at this age, our contribution feels very small," Umalakshmi admitted.
Currently, the school employs three government-appointed teachers. Their team includes one guest teacher and three teachers sponsored by local residents. This collective effort helps maintain educational standards despite limited resources.
Beyond his teaching activities, Dayananda maintains a personal artistic passion. He particularly enjoys painting portraits of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guru. The artist possesses an extensive collection of these spiritual portraits.
Dayananda's project demonstrates how artistic skill can address practical community needs. His approach combines art education with tangible infrastructure improvement. This dual focus benefits students both creatively and practically, creating lasting impact beyond the classroom.
