A Karnataka artist has transformed two everyday kitchen ingredients into a record-breaking work of art. Amar Kale, a 29-year-old self-taught painter from Dharwad, created a 175.82-square-metre turmeric and chilli powder painting depicting Karnataka's outline and Hampi's famous Stone Chariot. Guinness World Records officially recognises it as the world's largest spice painting, created on January 27, 2026.

The artwork covers 1,892.5 square feet, approximately two-thirds the size of a tennis court. It took around ten hours to complete, using only turmeric and chilli powder as pigments. Although Indian media revisited the achievement in late October, the record was set in January. The record organisation published a detailed feature about the artist on October 19, bringing renewed attention to his achievement.

Karnataka Artist and Guinness World Records: How the Giant Painting Came Together

For the Karnataka artist, the challenge was creating an enormous artwork without conventional paints. He used approximately six kilograms of turmeric powder and five kilograms of chilli powder, relying on their natural yellow and red colours. The completed painting featured a detailed image of Hampi's Stone Chariot within the geographical outline of Karnataka.

According to the official Guinness interview, Kale donated the unused spice powder prepared for the attempt rather than allowing it to go to waste.

The artwork's size was the basis of the record. The official record listing confirms that it measured 175.82 square metres, making it the largest painting in the spice-painting category.

Why Hampi's Stone Chariot Is at the Centre

The turmeric and chilli powder painting is more than a display of unusual materials. Its design celebrates Karnataka's history, architecture and cultural identity. The Stone Chariot is located at the Vittala Temple complex in Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site associated with the Vijayanagara Empire. According to UNESCO, Hampi contains important remains of the Vijayanagara capital, including temples, ceremonial structures and other monuments.

The stone chariot is an architectural shrine fashioned in the shape of a chariot and is one of Hampi's most recognisable landmarks. Kale explained that his choice of turmeric and chilli reflected Karnataka's spice heritage. By combining the state's outline with the historic monument, he wanted the artwork to represent his homeland rather than simply achieve a record for size. The combination connects two familiar elements of Indian life: everyday cooking ingredients and the country's architectural heritage.

Guinness World Record 2026: From Engineering to Professional Art

Amar Kale did not begin his career as a full-time painter. Inspired by his father, who was also an artist, he developed an interest in painting during childhood. He later completed a diploma in mechanical engineering and began working in the field. However, as appreciation for his artwork grew, he decided to change careers. In 2018, he left his engineering job to pursue painting professionally. Without formal art training, he developed his skills through regular practice, specialising in realistic paintings and portraits using oil and acrylic colours.

The Karnataka artist had already achieved international recognition before his spice-painting attempt. In 2021, he entered the record books after creating 98 painted handprints in one minute. That record was subsequently surpassed. He achieved another title on February 1, 2026, by creating a 112.36-square-metre painting while holding and controlling the painting tool with his mouth.

Guinness World Records officially lists that work as the largest painting by mouth by an individual. His Guinness World Record 2026 achievement with spices therefore forms part of a longer artistic journey. Kale has earned three world-record titles, demonstrating his interest in experimenting with unconventional techniques.

What Happens Next for Amar Kale?

Amar Kale said the spice artwork was placed on public display after the attempt, although the official report did not identify a permanent exhibition location. He hopes to continue creating record-breaking artworks while using his work to highlight India's cultural traditions. The latest achievement has brought attention not only to the artist but also to Dharwad and Karnataka's artistic heritage.

What makes his success distinctive is not simply the painting's enormous size. It is the use of familiar materials to represent a recognisable historical landmark. For a painter who left engineering in 2018, the record demonstrates how a personal creative interest developed into an internationally recognised career. His work offers a reminder that artistic innovation does not always require expensive materials. Sometimes, an original idea and two ingredients found in an ordinary kitchen can create something extraordinary.