Vighnaharta, the Visakhapatnam artist’s latest work, won first prize in an online art competition organized by Dubai-based organization Artscraft.
Vighnaharta, the Visakhapatnam artist’s latest work, won first prize in an online art competition organized by Dubai-based organization Artscraft.
Visakhapatnam-based artist Srinivasa Rao Kanumuri’s latest work Vighnaharta marks a reinterpretation of mythology, an ideology, and his entry into the themes of Indian epics. The 30” x 30” work of art is a visual spectacle done in mixed media on canvas. It recently won first prize in an online art competition organized by Dubai-based organization Artscraft. Founded by Anil Kejriwal, Artcraft is a platform to promote Indian artists. Srinivas’ work on Lord Ganesha under the theme of Vighnaharta won the first prize by online voting and jury consent. He won a cash prize of ₹25,000 and a trophy. She was declared the winner among over 200 participants from India and other countries including Thailand, Nepal, USA and Sri Lanka.
Srinivas used Kalamkari motifs and pattern work; The characters were depicted through design elements of Tholu Bommalata, the puppet theater tradition of Andhra Pradesh, where the figures are made in translucent, colored leather. Features are ornate and strikingly stylized. Srinivas took 25 days to complete the work devoting 10 hours every day.
Vighnaharta’s latest award winning work by Visakhapatnam-based artist Srinivasa Rao Kanumuri. , photo credit: special arrangement
Many of his recent works are on mythological subjects with an emphasis on fine details. “I love to explore different aspects of a character and build a story on its background. For example, in Vighnaharta instead of restricting the work to Ganesha, I have narrated important parts of his life story on canvas,” he says. “Ganesh is the son of Shiva, whose wife is Parvati. These two combine to form a formidable force in Indian mythology. Hence half of Shiva in the painting is represented by Parvati,” says the artist. The center of the canvas is Panchmukhi. Shows Ganesha with five heads, each facing a different direction.On the right is the sage Vyasa who writes the Mahabharata to Ganesha.
Visakhapatnam artist Srinivasa Rao Kanumuri’s latest work for Independence Day | photo credit: special arrangement
Attracted to doodling and painting for much of his childhood, it was at the age of 18 that Srinivas decided to take up fine arts as a career. He won a gold medal in a national level drawing competition, after which he moved from a village in Krishna district to Visakhapatnam in the late 90s to study at Andhra University. “I came to know about Kalamkari’s intricate design and its history at the university and it fascinated me,” he says.
Kalamkari art is of two different styles, one from Srikalahasti and the other from Machilipatnam. Fascinated by this unique piece of art, Srinivas spent more than three months in Srikalahasti, learning the finer details from a local artist before he began to explore it in his own style. In the field of art for over 20 years, Srinivas is known for his Kalamkari work, which he does on a variety of subjects, often staying away from mythological figures.