Bhatkal artist wins state-level painting contest, to represent Karnataka at nationals

Bhatkal: Darshan Mahabaleshwar Naik, a young artist from Jali in Bhatkal, has secured first place in a state-level painting competition held under the theme “Viksit Bharat Ke Rang” and has been selected to represent Karnataka at the upcoming national-level contest.

The competition, which was conducted across 75 centres nationwide between September 17 and October 2, aimed to promote creativity and patriotism among artists through visual expression. In Karnataka, the contests were organized in Bengaluru and Mangaluru, drawing participants from across the state.

Darshan, who is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) degree in Bengaluru, competed in the student category and won the top honour along with a cash prize of ₹25,000.

Known for his artistic talent from an early age, Darshan has previously represented Karnataka in several art competitions. In 2024, he had won the first prize in a state-level graffiti and wall-painting contest organized on the occasion of National Voters’ Day.

With his latest achievement, Darshan will now participate in the national-level competition, where top winners from various states will compete for the final honours.