Finally some good paintings.

After a disappointing visit to Mysore palace we came back to the marriage hall, spent some time with Bhenki, most importantly had some food. Then SK insisted on having a cig, although he promised not to have anymore after the first one in the morning. So after he cleared his chimney with the smoke, it was time we bid farewell to Venki. It was a great weekend, I hope if I had reached there a day before we would have enjoyed a little more and have had a bachelor's party too.
We settled for a visit to the Jagan Mohan's palace. When we reached we found it was only an art museum. Again 2 tickets of 20/- each. We wanted to keep our bags at the reception, the lady there asked whether we had any valuables or money. SK replied in his usual style, "We have some clothes, and I don't think you will take those. So we don't have any problems." The lady gave a smile. And we entered. At last we found some good things to see. And they were maintained in a better way.
The museum was full with paintings by Ravi Varma, Gogendranath Tagore, and some other painters. They also had paintings from Tibet and some by foreign painters. All were good. As I had told earlier, the attention to details were fantastic. There was a painting of the darbaar. I think one can identify each and every person on that painting if he knew them. Its almost like a photo. Here the paintings had some details below them. Paintings by Ravi Varma focused on mythology.
There is a particular painting by S. L. Haldekar named "Glow of Hope". It's the best in the gallery and hence given a special room. The photo can seen here http://www.kamat.com/database/pictures/2562.htm . Although the original one has some other effect altogether. It felt warm and a stare of 10 seconds generates a kind of fear too. Little haunted I felt.
The paintings of the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery can be viewed here http://www.kamat.com .