Anyone who has followed the sequence of our calendar themes will discern a certain subtle, underlying logic. We began with pure art in different forms: painting, sculpture, murals and photography. We then shifted focus slightly. Nature was our theme, and what followed were calendars that brought landscapes, flowering trees and birds to your consciousness every day of the year. Within our basic concept lay another, equally important one…the themes we presented always connected to people or places in Karnataka.

Our purposefully meandering journey continues this year with a theme close to many hearts. Within this calendar is an anthology of thirteen classic wildlife photographs, featuring twelve different animals. Each photograph gives you a glimpse of everyday happenings in the animal’s life and natural habitat. You’ll see a peacock caught in flight and a contemplative tahr brooding against a mountain landscape; an angry elephant threatening a surprised gaur and a gentle chital doe suckling her fawn….

These photographs are the rewards of patient efforts by eight of Karnataka’s leading wildlife photographers. It is of immense pride to us that our state leads the country in the field of wildlife / nature photography. Collectively, our photographers have received the largest number of prestigious international honours in photography. Their work has been exhibited, and has won awards, at all major national and international photography salons.

Barring two, all the animals you will meet in this calendar have been photographed in Karnataka. With 17 wildlife sanctuaries, 8 bird sanctuaries and 5 national parks (full list on back of July leaf), our state plays host to a truly impressive range of birds and animals.

We know we are all pieces of the frail chain of a larger existence. It’s nice that some of those links are accessible to us.