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November 29, 2024
By The Flag Post staff
The Haldipurkar family from Karwar in Uttara Kannada (U.K) district, Karnataka has a memorable history. In the late 18 th century, they came from Haldipur village (it lies between Kumta & Honnavar). Ramchandra Haldipurkar, was a forest contractor during the British Raj. The family’s next generation distinguished themselves as freedom fighters, and also excelled in the legal profession. The practice continues even today in the current times.
Adv. Gopal Krishnarao Haldipurkar (March 23, 1924 – January 22, 1994), started his practice under Adv. P.S.Kamat. In 1955, he moved to Haliyal, and had a successful legal career. He also was a multi- faceted person, his interests in art collections is an entire subject in itself. Along with numismatic and philatelic collections; the other interesting collection consists of: greeting cards, playing cards, matchbox labels, cigarette packet cards and old empty liquor bottles. He was a disciplinarian, known as “GK”, was known as a walking and talking encyclopaedia. In his personal life, he was a teetotaller and abstained from all vices. Aniruddha remembers his beloved late mother Sugandha, who played an important role in his father’s career. She always accompanied her husband when he went to attend conferences, exhibitions and seminars.
The other items includes: antiques, lithographs/oleographs and scrap books. All collections are thematic in nature, and they can all be seen under one roof in Adv. Aniruddha’s residence, ‘Matru Chaya’ on M.G. Road, Karwar. All collections are note worthy, and one can see the diversity in the art works. The pain staking meticulous efforts that have gone into it is visible in the entire collections.
Some of the most notable are the lithographs of Raja Ravi Varma, the artist who gave Goddess Laxmi and Saraswati, a form, which was non-existent before. The human forms we now see, is the creation of the great artist from the state of Travancore, Kerala. Ravi Varma, drew his inspiration from Indian classic mythologies, and his treatment of the subject can be seen in his myriad works. He also left a vast body of art work of his contemporary times. Artefacts of the yore are all displayed in shelves and on the different walls of his house.
Numismatic themes are also an attraction, and the stamps collections from 1882 till the current date can be seen. They include first day covers and block of four stamps. The series on the “Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi”, revives memories of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters in their struggle against the British government. Aniruddha, fondly recollects the numismatic exhibitions attended by him across the country.
Scrap books, stamps on world renowned painters like: Rembrandt, Vincent Van Gogh are a must see. There’s also a collection of various works of artists from the sub-continent. The lighthouse series and the standalone joker playing cards set are amazing. Their private library has a collection of up to a thousand books.
In the year 1983, at the State Lawyers Conference; there was an exhibition of late Adv. Gopal Haldipurkar’s entire collections of numismatics and philately were displayed. He’ll be remembered, for he truly was a connoisseur of art!
