CHENNAI: With simple geometrical shapes and a soft haziness surrounding them, Hanumantha Rao Devulapalli’s work has an intrinsic meditative nature about them. Drawing from a partial obeisance to the spiritual and the subconscious mind, they have a metaphysical essence that resonates with his own beliefs. City Express talks to the Hyderabad-based artist, whose works are being displayed at Gallery Veda currently.
A self-taught artist, Rao was drawn into art while pursuing his degree in Sociology from Osmania University, when he got a chance to be part of a prominent Telugu magazine.
“Soon after my foray, art became a passionate hobby that I took to pursuing along with my career in advertising and publishing,” says Rao. Ten years ago, he took art up as his full-time profession and since then he has exhibited at various events in South India and in art hubs such as New Delhi. So where does he draw his inspiration from?
“I am inspired partly from the philosophy of Vedanta,” Rao explains. “I practice meditation — you could say I am a yogi of sorts. What I feel, and what I experience during these sessions, I try to transfer them onto the canvas.”
Rao adds that different styles of art have different purposes — some art is created to disturb the viewer, whereas other styles are decorative in nature.
“But I wish for my viewers to experience a sense of peacefulness when they observe my work. I want to draw them into a meditative state of mind that appeals to the subconscious.”
This is quite commendable, since he says that inherently he paints for his own satisfaction. “I work with layers of colour and crosshatch them to create the tones and the desired result.
The final outcome is a wonderful mix of shades and texture that is appealing and energizing.” His work has been well received, with a prominent art critic even going as far as to describe them as ‘painted prayers’.
“In fact, what I feel inspiring is that a lot of people do come up to me and tell me that they experienced peace through my work,” adds Rao.
His present series explores abstract and formless state of harmony and peaceful existential visions. “Art for me includes unravelling the ‘self’, and understanding life as a whole; it is a process of meditation as well as worship,” says Rao.
Drop in at Gallery Veda, Taramani, to see Hanumantha Rao’s works till March 15.
For details, call 43090422