Is creative ability determined by our DNA? Research suggest that genetics does play a large role in shaping a person’s creative ability. As much as creative components can be passed down, they can also be nurtured, explains the Balaji household in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
“Unlike my daughter and I, who learnt to sketch in our architecture course, my wife has no formal training in sketching. However, she has a gifted ability, and it took me almost 30 years to convince her to sketch more frequently,” says Balaji Venugopal, 69, who is a professor, Design Chair, at MEASI Academy of Architecture in Chennai.
On weekends, the trio is often seen sketching on their hand-held books at city locations, independently or as part of the online group, Chennai Weekend Artists (CWA).
The family has several hundred sketches of Chennai and other places, some framed and a majority of them carefully stored in their house. An architect for close to 50 years, Venugopal says sketching was a critical component when he enrolled for a degree in architecture. “Your power of observation, recall and sketch to scale were tested. Architects from my generation would be able to sketch,” he says. Since 2002, Venugopal took sketching seriously, first beginning with charcoal, and then moving on to using charcoal pencils, graphite, and pen and ink.
“It is wonderful to share a common hobby. We go for art shows and visit galleries together. We enjoy seeing work of other people. It helps you look at things with a broader outlook,” says Nithya Balaji, 67, who uses a lot of colours in her work, unlike her husband. “Each of us have different styles. I do rapid sketches.”
She explains that when an opportunity to travel comes up, a box of tools and lots of sketchbooks are loaded in the car. “Whether we are on holiday, or at a wedding, we take out time for sketching. We chose a location, and pick what we want to sketch, how many to sketch and how long to spend,” she says.
The family has travelled to Senji, Coorg, Mysore, Mamallapuram, Kerala, Delhi and Hyderabad and sketched subjects of their interest.
Venugopal says, “When we travel, I carry a jute bag which includes an assortment of pens, water brush and water colours. I have two or three sketch books. The largest size sketch I’ve done is on A4 sheets. My wife and daughter take A3 sheets for their work. Sometimes, I also do small sketches.”
Their daughter Kalpana, 37, who runs her own architecture firm in Chennai, recalls the family trip to Senji Kottai in 2006. “We stayed there for two days, and we climbed steep rocky areas to get the right perspective,” she says. “Another trip close to my heart was to Dakshinachitra in Chennai. We stayed there and would sketch in the early mornings or late evenings, when the visitors left.” Kalpana, who is also a part of Urban Sketchers—a global community of artists who practice art, says, “Though I started blogging my sketches in 2010, most of my sketches remain in notebook.”
Venugopal also has three categorised blogs where he shares his collection.
“Nithya prefers to frame her originals and sometimes even gives it to those who ask. I don’t like to part with my work. If anyone wants a sketch, I share a print with them,” he says, adding that they have shared their work for annual Madras Day Celebrations in the city. Besides the occasional group exhibitions that support a cause, the trio admits that they have never entered their collection for competitions. Kalpana says, “We always indulge in a healthy criticism. My mother can quickly capture the mood of a place and person. We both enjoy working with colours more than my father.”
Her father says that she engages well with the viewer. “Her work draws the viewer to what she wants them to focus on.” Nithya, who has over 20-year experience in advertising, says that in her husband’s work, she is drawn towards his perspective, and use of light and shade.
Venugopal recalls that he had to persuade Nithya to attend CWA events earlier, but now she tells not only him, but also others to join the programmes.
“We look forward to family sketch trips, and hope to do one to Mandu, the ruined city in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. This fortress town has fine architecture.” But till then, they will continue to sketch simply for the joy of sketching.