Anjani Reddy enjoys the simple things in life. Exhibiting solo after five years, the artist welcomes Dasara with the Joyous Circuit of Life show in Hyderabad. Acrylic and watercolour paintings nestle alongside wearable art — hand-painted pendants, boxes and blouse material with Radha Krishna images.
Her works spread cheer as they celebrate various facets of tradition such as relaxing in the lap of Nature, bonding with friends and family, and the joy emanating from the connection one feels for the other.
“My paintings are an expression of my feelings,” says Anjani. She imagines herself in certain locations and paints those images. “When we are in tune with Nature, we feel harmony and peace; I want to show the importance of experiencing this feeling.”
A few paintings highlight celebrations — canvases vibrant with bright colours evoke nostalgia. Being the eldest daughter-in-law in a family of seven brothers, Anjani has been part of many weddings and in charge of family events. “The celebrations were typical of a rural Reddy family,”she says adding, “Unknowingly, I was absorbing things around me while ensuring even small details are taken care of.”
Festivities on canvas
Canvases depicting festivities, such as women making Bathukamma (floral arrangement) or a new son-in-law visiting his in-laws’ house for Dasara are images recalled from her childhood. While playing ‘hide-and-seek’ in summer at the Ramalingeshwara temple — a Chalukyan structure at her native Nandikandi village in Medak district of Telangana — she was drawn towards its architectural design. Proud of being the first artist from her family, she says, “Maybe the foundation of art was laid there. My parents too had good aesthetic sense.”
Anjani hopes her works will make visitors revisit their happy growing up years. “We hear of destruction everywhere; there is enough misery and sorrow around us. I want people to smile, relax and discover something new when they look at my works; a patch of colour rekindles a happy memory.”
Joyous Circuit of Life is on at State Art Gallery in Kavuri Hills, Madhapur till October 17
