Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Kavitha Ramakrishna, a practitioner of the ancient Indian art form of Tanjore painting, has prepared an exhibit of her unique paintings, which will be displayed at the Ministry of Tourism in August.
The art forms blend the cultures of Oman and India and pay a tribute to the people of the Sultanate.
“I wanted to dedicate my works to the people of the Sultanate, to whom I owe a lot for my success,” said Kavitha Ramakrishna, who has lived in Oman for the last decade, as she explained the reason for this unique work.
“I have completed some Tanjore works which portray three important aspects of the Islamic religion: a mosque, the Holy Kaaba and the Holy Quran,” she told Times of Oman.
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“This unique creation is dedicated to all the Muslim brotherhood and signifies the friendship that exists between the two cultures,” she added.
The exhibition will feature close to 50 of her Tanjore art works.
Also, Maitha bin Saif Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism, will preside at the opening of the exhibition, said Ramakrishna.
The show will highlight some of the recent paintings completed by Ramakrishna that portray Omani jewellery, as well as commemorating the 44th National Day of the Sultanate, and will be dedicated to the health and well-being of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
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.”
Rich colours
Gold sheet and semi-precious stones are key materials used in this art. The rich vibrant colours, dashes of gold and semi-precious stones add beauty and culture to a variety of surroundings and decors.
For Ramakrishna, art is an exciting pursuit. “Anything that is artistic attracts me, especially drawings and paintings. From childhood, I have been fascinated by the arts,” Ramakrishna said.
The ancient art-form from Tanjore is being popularised by Ramakrishna, who has been practicing this art for more than 10 years.
She also had a rare opportunity to display her art at the Indian Embassy in Oman, with the support of the ambassador, and received much publicity and admiration for it.
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“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, the forts of Oman, the beautiful Khanjars (daggers) and artefacts on canvas, using vivid colours and the compact composition used in the Tanjore paintings,” Ramakrishna said.
Some of her works have been presented to Omani institutions as a gesture of goodwill,and she has received many accolades from the Oman Government.
Further, according to Ramakrishna, Maitha bin Saif Al Mahrouqi of the Ministry of Tourism is the driving force behind her Omani works.
Her paintings have become well-known for their elegance, brightness and beauty.
She also popularizes 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.
Further, she has introduced an e-learning platform for Tanjore painting and has plans to increase the reach of this work by associating it with the Art, Culture and Language Department of the Government of India.
Ramakrishna has authored a book in the Kannada language about Oman, called “Na Kanda Muscat.”
Nearly a decade of her life spent in Oman has given her insights into its people and culture. She has captured the distinctive character of Oman through her writings.
Those interested in learning more about the sacred Indian language, can log on to her website: www.kavithavedanthi.com.
