Mangaluru: The end of the year in the city was marked by splashes of colours on canvas by speed painter Vilas Nayak at Kadri Park as a part of Karavali Utsava. The audience was enthralled by the speed of Vilas in painting as he finished his works of art within five minutes each.

Vilas took the stage to an audience of about 300 and started painting a portrait of Lord Ganesha to two of the Elephant God’s chants. Vilas gave a complete half hour programme for the audience by painting three works of art in total.

The second painting was a part of Mangalorean culture, Bootha Kola and the third was a tribute to the Indian defence forces. All of course, finished by five minutes and painted to the respective background music. The third painting in particular got the people’s attention as Vilas painted it upside down before he turned it upright.

Speaking to the gathering, Vilas said that it was the first time he performed in Kadri Park. “No matter how many countries I have performed in, there is no better feeling than performing in my own hometown. The three paintings each had a meaning, first to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganapathi. Since Bootha Kola is a part of Mangalorean culture, the second painting was a dedication to our heritage.”

Reminiscing about his performance in the United States two months ago, he said, “I had painted Yakshagaana and Bootha Kola on canvas and that is where Mangaloreans came to me and commended my work as well as the spirit of Mangaluru culture.”

A great round of applause gripped Vilas’ performance as he left the stage after his address. Several of his fans and admirers met him backstage for autographs and pictures of him. There was one Facebook follower of his who presented her own art work to him in exchange for his autograph and photograph.