A Deep Rooted Tale - Display Of Artworks By Thota Vaikuntam: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR A DEEP ROOTED TALE...

A Deep Rooted Tale is a comprehensive display of 250 works of Thota Vaikuntam, from the 14th June to the 30th July, at Kalahita Art foundation. The exhibition is open everyday from 12pm to 7pm.

The exhibition is titled so, because the drawings are from Vaikuntam's roots - from the time during which Vaikuntam lived in Boorugupalli village, taking care of his mother and working on small drawings in the time he could find. The selection is from from 1971- 84, almost 30 years back. These drawings are of almost everything that caught his eye, be it people, victuals, doors, tools, or his mother's utensils and belongings. Some drawings are an intense study of these elements, and some are casual sketches.

Vaikuntam's work includes depictions of the village man carrying toddy on one shoulder for the Dora (master) and a little bit for himself on his other hand; the Dora's men, strong with their boorish expression; the full-bodied and middle-aged village woman busy in her chores; the stonecutter and his sweat-drenched shirt; the Pujari who sang mellifluously and worshipped in a remote place; and the villager caressing his wife while walking through the fields, toddy pots perched on their shoulders with dragonflies and parrots abundant, under the sun.

Most of Thota Vaikuntam's drawings are with charcoal on paper, some are with pencil, a few have transparent washes, and a couple of them have been finished with partial coloration. Some drawings are on hand-made mount boards and paper. The motifs evoke the soul of Boorugupalli and its people. Other than the drawings on display, the exhibition will also feature a limited edition of articles, a premium archival portfolio as well as a publication.

Kalahita Art Center was launched as an integral part of Nagarjuna Foundation on 4th September, 2006. Situated at the heart of the city of Hyderabad on the Nagarjuna Hills, the Art Center has 4 contemporary galleries, a gallery for traditional crafts, a library for research and study of all Indian art forms, a unit for limited edition prints, and a state-of-the-art storage space.

The Art Center has been conceived essentially with an academic focus, and with an aim to revive traditional art and craft forms for the promotion of all Indian art forms. The foundation maintains a detailed documentation of exhibitions and collections, and also provides talented artists a platform to showcase their works in countries abroad, supporting them with facilities to conduct exhibitions at the art center.

Please contact 2335-0543 for further details.