Managing Director & Founder

Shilpa Kala Kutir's founder Dr. Tippanna Basavanneppa Solabakkanavar was born on March 3, 1947 at Hulasogi village in Shiggaon taluk, Haveri district of Karnataka State in India. He pursued his primary education in Hirebendigeri village and high school education in Shiggaon and Savanur. He obtained art education at D.V.Halabhavi Art School in Dharwad and later he completed a Diploma in Fine Arts in Davangere.

After completing his education, he worked as assistant art director in feature films in the beginning. Later he worked as principal page designer at Jnan Gangotri magazine. He served as lecturer at Art College in Davangere for 20 years. Later he obtained volunteer retirement and floated Karnataka Doddata (Bayalata) Trust (R) in 1990. He established Shilpa Kala Kutir in 1992. He continued his theater tradition as president of Karnataka Doddata (Bayalata) Academy of Bagalkot in 2019.

Senior theater personality Dr T B Solabakkanavar was also instrumental in building Rock Garden Gotgodi. As he was an international fame artist, he was honoured with various awards like Karnataka Rajyotsav, Sanghatana, Jnan Vignan, Lalit Kala Academy honorary award, Karnataka Folklore University honorary doctorate and many more.

Dr T.B. Solabakkanavar, who was mentor for over 3,000 artists, ended his life journey on November 19, 2020 at the age of 73 years.

Rajaharsha T. Solabakkanavar, son of Dr. T.B. Solabakkanavar, was born on November 5, 1975 at Hulasogi village in Shiggaon taluk, Haveri district of Karnataka State in India. He pursued his primary and high school education at Shiggaon.

He attained expertization in art by being with his father. Thanks to enthusiasm and interest in art, he ended his education after SSLC and became fully involved in the art field. Not only becoming an artist, he is taking Shilpa Kala Kutir to the next level, as a mentor.

He has played a crucial role in constructing and managing Utsav Rock Garden, which is an internationally noted garden in Gotgodi. He has built many sculpture gardens in different parts of the country. He has visited many countries to study the art at the global level.

He has provided opportunities for budding artists to work with well-nurtured artists. He has also imparted the training for artists in different disciplines like dance, painting, mural, drama, doddata and many more. As many as 15,000 artifacts are carved under his guidance.