The painter of trees: Rumale’s vibrant legacy
It is a truth universally acknowledged that to be considered sophisticated, a city must be in possession of an artist whose work is so deeply tied to its rhythms that it is impossible to think of either in isolation
Paul Fernandes, a much-loved visual historian and chronicler of Bangalore's endearing absurdities, is the most likely artistic figure to be inextricably tied to the city. However, Rumale Chennabasaviah is a lesser-known candidate who created lush, vibrant impressionist paintings of Bangalore's trees. Born on September 10, 1910, Rumale lived a life filled with various roles before focusing on his art full-time.
He was a high school dropout, an art student, a freedom fighter, and a public servant for over two decades. Rumale's art captures the dynamism of Bangalore's cityscapes, from Gulmohar trees in Cubbon Park to areas marked for submergence by dams. His gallery, Rumale Art House, features 120 of his original paintings and is run by his adoptive family. Unfortunately, Rumale passed away in 1988 at the age of 77 in a tragic road accident.
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