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Thota Vaikuntam
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Thota Vaikuntam hails from Andhra Pradesh, in South India, and finds his inspiration in the rural areas of the state. Men and women of his village are often the central characters of his work. Telangana women, in particular, are frequent subjects for his works. The obsession can be traced back to his childhood, when he used to be fascinated by the male artists who used to impersonate female characters in the travelling theatre groups that...
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Thota Vaikuntam hails from Andhra Pradesh, in South India, and finds his inspiration in the rural areas of the state. Men and women of his village are often the central characters of his work. Telangana women, in particular, are frequent subjects for his works. The obsession can be traced back to his childhood, when he used to be fascinated by the male artists who used to impersonate female characters in the travelling theatre groups that performed in his village. He admits finding the women of his village very sensuous and that he only attempts to capture their vibrancy.
In an interview with Saffronart, the artist explains his early apprehensions when it came to art. “…In private I began sketching images which were very Indian, but which I thought were quite shocking. They were very obviously inspired by the spiritual and sensuous tradition that’s part of Indian mythology and art. I hid them from public eye, because I thought they were very sexual.”
Vaikuntam’s art has a sense of strength to it, a power that emanates from the paint or charcoal that he applies to the surface, from his controlled lines, and from the fine strokes that he executes. He generally uses only primary colours, as he believes that composite colours do not exist in nature and are therefore, unnatural. As he explains, “I like using rich primary colours, which give a sense of character and depth to my paintings. Like reds and saffron and even orange, because these are essentially Indian colours. I don't like using colours that are mix of two, because they are not natural, they don't exist in surroundings around us, in our everyday life”.
Born in 1942 in Boorugupali, Andhra Pradesh, T. Vaikuntam completed a Diploma in Painting at the College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad, in 1970, and then another in Painting and Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, in 1972. He held his first solo exhibition at the Kala Bhavan in Hyderabad in 1973, and since then has had regular shows at various galleries in Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. His most recent shows have been ‘Yes, I am He’ organized by India Fine Art at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2007; ‘Telangana: Inheritance of a Dream Lost’ at Art Alive, New Delhi, also in 2007; and ‘Mukham’ at Sanskriti Art Gallery, Kolkata, in 2006.
Some recent group shows that have included Vaikuntam’s work have been 'Indian Harvest' presented by Crimson – the Art Resouce, Bangalore, at SG Private Bank, Singapore, in 2009; 'The Root of Everything' at Gallery Mementos, Bangalore, in 2009; 'Post Independence Masters' at Aicon Gallery, New York, in 2008; ‘6 Artists Show’ at 1x1 Gallery, Dubai, in 2006; ‘Tradition and Change’ at Arts India, New York, in 2002; and ‘Ignition’ at Crimson Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2000.
Among his several honours are the National Award for Painting, which Vaikuntam received in 1993, and the Biennale Award from Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, which he received in 1988-89.
The artist lives and works in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
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Born
1942
Boorugupali Karimnagar Andhra Pradesh
Education
1971-72 Painting and Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.(On a Lalit Kala Academy Fellowship from Andhra Pradesh) 1965-70 Diploma in Painting, College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad
Exhibitions
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2015 'The Telangana Icons', presented...
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2015 'The Telangana Icons', presented by Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi at Grosvenor Gallery, London2011 'Memoire du passé 1979-1999', Latitude 28, New Delhi2011 'Metamorphosis: The Changing World of Thota Vaikuntam', Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi2009-10 'Saffron.Vermilion.Turmeric', Indigo Blue Art, Singapore2007 ‘Yes, I am He’, organized by India Fine Art, India Fine Art, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 2007 ‘Telangana: Inheritance of a Dream Lost’, Art Alive, New Delhi 2006 ‘Mukham’, Sanskriti Art Gallery, Kolkata 2005 ‘Telangana Men and Women’, Arts India, California 2005 ‘Naupu Telupu’, India Fine Art, Mumbai 2005 ‘Retrospective Show’, Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi, London 2004 Kuhu Art Gallery, London 2003 ‘Larger Than Life – Vaikuntam’s Women’, Arts India, New York and The Guild, Mumbai 2003 ‘Portraits’, Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai 2001 ‘Memories of Telangana’, Sama, New Delhi 2000 ‘Mother’, Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai 1999 Gallery 678, New York 1998 ‘My Telangana Images’, Mumbai 1998 ‘Vision and Response’, Renaissance, Bangalore 1996 Surya Gallery, Hyderabad 1996 The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai 1995-97 New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad 1994-95 Crimson Gallery, Bangalore 1994-95 I.T.C . Welcome Group, Hyderabad 1994 Surya Gallery, Hyderabad and Gallerie 88, Kolkata 1992 Gallery Kufa, London 1992 Kessel, Chennai and Mumbai 1991 Gallery Espace, New Delhi 1990 Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai 1988-89 Max Mueller Bhavan, Hyderabad and Grindlays Bank Gallery, Chennai 1985 Show of Drawings, Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad 1982-83 Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad 1980 Exhibition of Charcoal Drawings on Mother Series, Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad 1978 Exhibition of Ink and Wash drawings, Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad 1978 Exhibition of Prints, Alliance Francaise, Bangalore 1975-77 Ink Drawings, Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad 1974 One-Man Show of Small Drawings, Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad 1972-73 Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad
Selected Group Exhibitions
2011 'Adbhutam: Rasa in Indian Art', Centre of International Modern Art(CIMA), Kolkata
2011 'Aureus 2011', Gallerie Nvya, New Delhi
2010-11 'Figure/Landscape: Part Two', Aicon Gallery, London2010 'Figure/Landscape: Part One', Aicon Gallery, New York2010 'The Living Insignia', Gallery Ensign, New Delhi2010 'Modern Folk: The Folk Art Roots of the Modernist Avant-Garde', Aicon Gallery, New York 2010 'Black is Beautiful', India Fine Art, Mumbai2009 'Entity', in association with Asian Academy of Film & Television at M.E.C. Art Gallery, New Delhi 2009 'The Root of Everything', Gallery Mementos, Bangalore 2009 Gallery Space, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 2008 'Stellar Configuration', presented by Vinnyasa Premier Art Gallery, Chennai at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 2008 'Post Independence Masters', Aicon Gallery, New York 2008 ‘Freedom 2008 : Sixty Years After Indian Independence’, Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata 2008 ‘Pravah’, Art Pilgrim, New Delhi 2007 ‘Serigraphs’, Presented by Archer Graphic Studio at Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai 2007 'Rising Of The Phoneix: A Tribute To Livelihood', Hasta Gallery, Hyderabad 2007 'Self and the Selfless', Hasta Gallery, Hyderabad 2007 ‘The Workshop’, India Fine Art, Mumbai 2006 'Drawing Show an Act of Art II', Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai 2006 Opening Show, India Fine Art, Mumbai 2006 ‘6 Artists Show’, 1 x 1 Gallery, Dubai 2006 Opening Show, Arts Pilgrim, London 2005 ‘Evoking Rasa in Luminous Visions - Indian Art’, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA 2005 ‘Divine Inspiration’, India Fine Art, Mumbai 2004 ‘Confluence’, Arts India, California 2003 ‘Faces’, Art Alive, New Delhi 2003 Kuhu Art Gallery, London 2003 ‘Hyderabad with Love’, India Fine Art, Hyderabad, Mumbai 2002 ‘Tradition and Change’, Arts India, New York 2001 ‘A Panorama of Indian Contemporary Art’, Art Circle, The Guild 2000 ‘Dubai / Creative 2000 2000 Menaz Art Gallery 2000 Faces Design Art, Dubai 2000 ‘Ignition’, Crimson Art Gallery, Mumbai 2000 ‘Mask’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi 1999 Sans Tache, Mumbai 1999 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Mumbai 1999 Gallery Ganesha, New Delhi 1998 Group Show in Singapore 1998 Threshold, Vishakapatnam 1998 ‘Tempera’, Art Today, New Delhi 1998 Gallery Ganesha, New Delhi 1998 Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Mumbai 1997 Gallery Ganesha, New Delhi 1996 ‘Chamatkara – Myth and Magic in Indian Art’, Whitley’s Art Gallery, London 1995 Art for CRY, Mumbai 1995 Gallery Ganesha, New Delhi 1995 Gallerie 88, Kolkata 1995 Autumn Exhibition, All India Fine Art and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi 1995 Surya Gallery, Hyderabad 1995 ‘Woman’, organized by The Gallery, Singapore, Hong Kong 1994-95 ‘Contemporary Miniatures’, Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA) Gallery, Kolkata 1994 ‘Art in Miniature Form’, Renaissance, Bangalore 1994 Gallery Ganesha, New Delhi 1994 ‘India Encounter II’, Lee Arthur Studio, New York 1993 Anniversary Exhibition, Gallery 88, Kolkata 1993 Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata 1993 Summer Show, The Gallery, Chennai 1993 Birla Academy of Art and Culture Silver Jubilee Exhibition, Mumbai 1993 ‘Wide Angle’, Sarla Art Centre, Bangalore 1992 Sansriti Art Gallery, Kolkata 1992 Summer Show, Hyderabad 1992 Help Age India, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 1992 Art Encounter, Kessel 1992 Gallerie 88, Bangalore 1992 Shraddha Saharpan, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 1991 ‘Images of Rural India’, Max Mueller Bhavan, Hyderabad 1991 ‘The Collectors Choice’, Society for Promotion of Art, Hyderabad 1991 Gallery Espace, New Delhi 1990 ‘Five Artists’, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute and CCMB Science Institute, Hyderabad 1990 Sarla Art Gallery, Bangalore 1990 The Gallery, Chennai 1988-89 Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad 1989 Max Mueller Bhavan, Hyderabad
Participations
2014 'Ode to Monumental: Celebration, Visuality, Ideology', presented by Saffronart at Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai 2013-14 'Transition', 20th Anniversary Show, Centre of International Modern Art(CIMA), Kolkata2011 'Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
2010 'Master’s Corner', organized by Indian Contemporary Art Journal at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; India International Art Fair, New Delhi2010 'Contemporary Printmaking In India', presented by Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai 2010 'Summer Show 2010', Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata 2009 'Entity', Annual Exhibition, M.E.C Art Gallery, New Delhi 2007 17th Anniversary Show, Gallery Sanskriti, Kolkata 2007 ‘Summer Show 2007’, Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata 2006 ‘CIMA Annual 2006’, Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata 1995 6th Anniversary Exhibition, Gallery Ganesha, New Delhi 1994 1st Anniversary Exhibition, Surya Gallery, Hyderabad 1991 7th Triennale, India 1988-89 Biennale, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal
Honours and Awards
1993 National Award For Painting 1988-89 Biennale Award, Bharat...
1993 National Award For Painting 1988-89 Biennale Award, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal 1988-89 National Award for Art Direction of Film ‘Daasi’ 1985 Award from Hyderabad Art Society, Andhra Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy 1982-83 Award from Hyderabad Art Society, Andhra Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy 1979 ‘Mahakoshal Kala Samithi’, Madhya Pradesh 1979 Award from Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata 1979 Award from Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore 1975-77 Second Award from Hyderabad Art Society, Andhra Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy
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Could we go back in time. When and how did you begin painting?
I don’t remember, it was long ago, when I was a child. I was physically a very weak child, and I was constantly sick. I used to feel helpless. For me, painting was a means of coming to terms with my physical weakness and my helplessness.
What were the images that populated your earlier paintings?
I drew...
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Could we go back in time. When and how did you begin painting?
I don’t remember, it was long ago, when I was a child. I was physically a very weak child, and I was constantly sick. I used to feel helpless. For me, painting was a means of coming to terms with my physical weakness and my helplessness.
What were the images that populated your earlier paintings?
I drew inspiration from Indian mythology. Bhima, Hanuman, they were all strong mythological figures. I look back and wonder why I chose the male figures. I guess because they represented everything I wasn’t.
What about formal art education?
I went to the Hyderabad College of Art and Architecture and graduated in 1963. But the art education there left me frustrated and totally confused. Western art is very structured and very theoretical. It’s not spontaneous or instinctive as Indian art, neither is it connected to the earth or our roots. I tried to copy European masters, as a result of which I had no personal style. It left me very disillusioned.
Then how did you evolve the medium and the images you use today?
Oh, those earlier years were very painful. It was like I could find no way out of the artistic wilderness in which I was trapped. So in private I began sketching images which were very Indian, but which I thought were quite shocking. They were very obviously inspired by the spiritual and sensuous tradition that’s part of Indian mythology and art. I hid them from public eye, because I thought they were very sexual.
How did you begin exhibiting then?
Artist Laxma Goud actually discovered me. He stumbled upon my paintings and sent them to an exhibition. Since then, I have been exhibiting.
You went back to your village home sometime in between. What made you go back?
The fact that the kind of paintings I was doing wasn’t satisfying me. Along with physical deprivation, there was also artistic deprivation to deal with. I was unable to support my family financially, because my art wasn’t taking me anywhere --- either in terms of satisfaction or in terms of money.
So how did your village help you evolve as an artist?
I draw my current images and inspiration from the village itself. My mother was a big inspiration --- strong, calm and very much in control. I began painting her and the world around her --- her kitchen, her pots and pans, the well, her saris, her jewellery. Everything around her was so utterly fascinating.
You come from Telangana in Andhra Pradesh. Is that why the women you draw are particularly from that region?
Yes, I guess so. I find their body language very sensuous and very strong. Their upright and powerful torsos, their earthy beauty and their clothes, so very different from the kind of beauty you find in cities, their whole body language is of abandon and of joy. I can’t stop myself from drawing these women. To me they represent strength that’s so inherent in most Indian women.
Why do men not figure in your work?
No I don’t agree. In my recent works you see men. But women inspire me. They are sincere and hard working. They are an art in themselves --- their hair, their jewellery, their saris, their proud demeanour….
What is the medium you like to use to paint?
I have done work in acrylic o paper. I use a lot of bright pigments. I use a lot of small patterns to depict textiles and jewellery. I have also done some work in oil on canvas.
You have done the art direction of a few films too. What was the experience like?
Yes, I have done a few films with directors I admire --- Goutom Ghos’s ‘Maa Bhoomi’ and D Narsing Rao’s ‘Daasi’. Art direction in a film is like painting. But I am careful of the people I work with.
What I enjoy the most besides painting, which I do everyday, is working with children at Hyderabad’s Bal Bhavan. It’s an amazing experience. I help them search for their own individuality in art, instead of copying anyone, to search for their fundamentals. I had no one to guide me in my art, I would like to help guide kids though.
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