Wednesday 15 / May / 2024
Muscat: For Kavitha Ramakrishna, art is an exciting pursuit and she is a practitioner of the ancient Indian art form of Tanjore painting. Today, the Times of Oman (TOO) is featuring Kavitha Ramakrishna in its #OmanPride Campaign.
“Anything that is artistic attracts me, especially drawings and paintings. From childhood, I have been fascinated by the arts,” Ramakrishna told TOO.
Tanjore painting is an important form of classical South Indian painting, native to the town of Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. It is an art form that dates back to about 1600 A.D., a period where the Nayakas of Tanjavur encouraged this art. Tanjore paintings are created on solid wood planks referred to as “Palagai Padam.”
Gold sheet and semi-precious stones are key materials used for this art. The rich vibrant colours, dashes of gold and semi precious stones add beauty and culture to a variety of surroundings and decor.
Ramakrishna’s works bring together the right blend of the Indian traditional art and the rich Omani culture into the canvas. Some of her works have been presented to various Omani institutions as a gesture of goodwill and she has received many accolades from the Oman Government. “Inspired by the cultural unity that exists between Oman and India, also the beauty and richness of the Omani culture, I took up the venture to put the beautiful Omani jewellery and artefacts on the canvas using vivid colours and compact composition used in the Tanjore paintings,” Ramakrishna said.
According to her, Maitha bin Saif Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, is the driving force behind her Omani works. “I have exhibited close to 40 of my Tanjore art works at the Ministry of Tourism that portrayed Omani jewellery, the forts of Oman, the beautiful Khanjars (daggers) and artefacts,” she said. Ramakrishna has been practicing this art form for the last decade and has already completed hundreds of paintings so far.
Elegance, brightness and beauty
Her paintings are famous for their elegance, brightness and beauty. She ardently popularises this ancient art form by holding free training sessions. “I have trained more than three hundred art lovers. I have also conducted a workshop in ISM for both the students and teachers of the school,” Ramakrishna said. She has also exhibited her creativity twice at the Indian Embassy in Oman. “I was also blessed to exhibit my works twice at the Indian embassy, once during the period of former Ambassador Anil Wadhwa and recently on January 26 on the occasion of 67th Republic day of India,” Ramakrishna said.
“Ambassador Indramani Pandey was the main person, who encouraged me to commemorate the diplomatic relations between Oman and India. I showcased both the Omani artefacts, as well as Indian paintings, including the paintings of the Ashoka chakra and one based on the theme ‘Make in India,’” she added.
Ramakrishna has also authored a book in the Kannada language about Oman called “Na Kanda Muscat.” Almost a decade of her life in the country has given her insight into its people and culture. She has captured the distinctive character of Oman through her writings.
“Having lived in Oman for nine years, I feel a sense of belonging and respect for the people, the culture and the heritage of this country. This made me to write a book on Muscat, where I have tried to capture the distinctive character of this unique country,” she said.
“Apart from capturing the landscape of the country in its entire splendour, the book also dwells upon its wonderful people and the maker of this country, our beloved Sultan,” she added. Currently, Ramakrishna is planning to complete some more paintings before the 46th National Day of Oman and wishes dedicate them to the people of Oman.
She has also introduced an e-learning platform for Tanjore painting and has plans to increase the reach of the same by associating it with the Art, Culture and Language Department of the Government of India.
Avid learners, who are interested in knowing more about the sacred Indian language, can log on to her website: www.kavithavedanthi.com, pursue it further and help preserve the divine language and pass the knowledge to the future generations.
