Mysuru, May 16: Renowned sculptor and former Dean of Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts (CAVA) V A Deshpande passed away in the wee hours of today.
He was 66 and survived by his wife, two sons.
Vyasamurthy Ananthrao Deshpande was born in Badami at Bagalkot district in 1955.
He was awarded Karnataka Lalitkala Academy scholarship as well as Faculty of Fine Arts Merit Scholarship. He joined as a Lecturer in Malnad College of Engineering in the Department of Architecture in 1981 and later joined the newly-established Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) in Mysuru during 1983. He has headed the institution as its Dean since 2005 for more than 10 years.
The 9.5 ft bronze statue of former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram, 9 ft bronze statue of Sarvagna, 9 ft Rani Abbakka Devi, 5.8 ft and 3ft statues of Sri Rajendra Swamiji of Suttur and statue of ‘Kuvempu sitting on a chair’ installed at the entrance to Manasagangothri campus on Bogadi Road are some of his exemplary works in sculpture.
He was recipient of Kannada Rajyotsava award.(UNI)