Samarthkala Mahavidyalay

If you head down Chaandur Road in Ichalkaranji, you will find our building at 15/217/4. It is a place where people come to work on their art and learn the basics of different crafts. We have rooms filled with easels, papers, and the smell of different paints that never really goes away. It is not the cleanest place because art tends to be messy, and there is usually some charcoal or ink on someone’s hands. We don't have a lot of fancy equipment, but we have enough space for everyone to sit and focus on their projects. The students come from all over the Chandur area, bringing their bags and portfolios with them every morning. Some days are very quiet when everyone is focused on a drawing, while other days are louder with people moving benches around or discussing their work. The light in the studios changes throughout the day, which is something we all notice. Our instructors are usually busy walking around, looking at what people are making and offering a few words here and there. It is a very hands-on kind of place. We don't spend time on long speeches; we just get to the work of making things. The surrounding neighborhood is busy, but once you are inside with a brush or a pencil, the outside world feels a bit further away.