Soma kr
Soma Kr 
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|---|---|
 Visual Artist & Art Teacher | Gundlupet, Karnataka | |
| Birth Place | Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagara District, Karnataka, India |
| Father | Ranga Shetty |
| Mother | Marigopamma |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Visual Artist, Art Teacher, Art Director |
| Qualifications | BVA — Bachelor of Visual Arts, Hampi University |
| Known for | MF Hussain Award 2024 (Govt. of Maharashtra), Best Art Award Europe International Exhibition 2024, TY National Icon of 2025, India's Top 100 Artists 2025 |
| City | Gundlupet, Chamarajanagara, Karnataka, India |
| Experience | 8 Years |
Soma Kr is an Indian visual artist and art teacher based in Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagara District, Karnataka, India. Daughter of Shri Ranga Shetty and Smt. Marigopamma, she holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) from Hampi University, Karnataka and has built a distinguished career as both a practising artist and a dedicated art educator. With 8 years of experience teaching art and craft in public schools, she has inspired hundreds of students to discover and develop their creative talents. She is a recipient of the prestigious MF Hussain Award presented by the Government of Maharashtra (7 December 2024), the Best Art Award at the International Artworks Exhibition of Europe (December 2024) and has been recognised as a TY National Icon of 2025 and one of India's Top 100 Artists of 2025 — establishing her as one of Karnataka's most celebrated young visual artists.
Background
Soma Kr was born in Gundlupet Taluk, Chamarajanagara District, Karnataka, India, to Shri Ranga Shetty and Smt. Marigopamma. From an early age, she demonstrated a deep passion for visual arts — a passion that would lead her to pursue formal education in fine arts and eventually build a career as both a professional artist and a committed art educator.
Her journey reflects a lifelong love for creativity — from winning district-level drawing competitions as a student to receiving international recognition for her artworks in Europe and the prestigious MF Hussain Award from the Government of Maharashtra.
Education
- Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) — Hampi University, Karnataka — Specialising in visual arts, painting and creative expression
Career
Art Teaching
Soma Kr has been teaching art and craft at public schools for over 8 years. She conducts Art and Craft classes every Saturday and Sunday in Gundlupet — making quality art education accessible to children in her community on a regular basis. She has also received the Best Art Service Teacher Award and an Achievement Art Award from Nanjanagudu Citizen Public School in 2018 — recognising her dedication and excellence as an art educator.
Free Art and Craft Summer Camps
In a remarkable act of social commitment, Soma Kr organises free Art and Craft Summer Camps — providing children with hands-on training in drawing, painting, portrait making and craft skills at no cost. This initiative reflects her belief that art education should be accessible to every child — regardless of their economic background.
Artworks and Exhibitions
International Artworks Exhibition — Europe (2024)
Soma Kr's artworks were selected for and exhibited at the International Artworks Exhibition of Europe in December 2024 — where she received the Best Art Award. This international recognition is a landmark achievement that places her among India's most celebrated contemporary visual artists.
Awards and Recognition
- District Level Drawing Competition — First Prize (2008–2009)
- NSS Camp Best Award — Mysore (18 September 2009)
- State Level Drawing Competition — First Prize — Mysore (24 December 2010)
- Best Art Service Teacher Award — Nanjanagudu Citizen Public School (2018)
- Achievement Art Award — Nanjanagudu Citizen Public School (2018)
- Best Art Award — International Artworks Exhibition of Europe (December 2024)
- MF Hussain Award — Government of Maharashtra (7 December 2024)
- TY National Icon of 2025 — Tretayug Foundation
- India's Top 100 Artists of 2025
Vision and Goals
Soma Kr's vision is to become the best art director in India — continuing to grow as a professional artist while inspiring the next generation of creative minds through her teaching and community art programmes. She is committed to making art accessible to all children and to representing India's visual arts tradition on national and international platforms.