People have always been A. Rajeswara Rao’s muses. The artist immerses himself in the pleasures, desires, and complexities of the people around him, celebrating their appearances, happiness, and courage to express themselves freely, shedding any inhibitions. “Pretensions are a necessity here, transforming into an essential aspect of life. I’m intrigued by the ‘high’ these pretensions offer — even if it means getting lost in the chaos of confusion and ambiguity over time. That’s a different canvas for another time,” says Rajeswara Rao with a smile. He is currently captivating art enthusiasts with his solo exhibition ‘Satirical Symphony’ at the State Gallery of Art, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur.
Migrating from Vizianagaram, a royal seat, to Hyderabad, the city of Nawabs, in 1988, Rajeswara Rao couldn’t help but notice the stark differences in culture, attire, and aesthetics between the Rajas and the Nawabs. “My transition from Vizianagaram, a small culturally evolved town, to the distinctly different environment of Hyderabad, and later moving to a small, remote village on the city’s outskirts (Hyderguda), were two significant events that profoundly influenced my art practice,” he reflects.
Satirical Symphony
Rajeswara Rao has been a witness to the metamorphic change of a village that transformed from a small hamlet with lush green fields, quaint tiled houses, little wayside temples, bicycles, a primary school, and a Post Office—along with all the simple people and their local traditions that make up village life. This transformation fascinated him, particularly as he observed the rise of narcissism and consumerism, which became rampant, loud, and unapologetic. He notes that the “development” began around 2000, marked by a real estate boom that drastically altered the village’s landscape and culture.
“The old tiled houses and fields transformed into a concrete jungle with multistory buildings and gated communities. Farmers became real estate moguls, and those less fortunate turned into brokers. People started flaunting gold jewelry, brands, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Armani suits, Gucci shoes, and big cars. It was such a fantasy,” says the renowned artist, reflecting on the changes that captured his imagination and became his unintentional muses.
Creative Process
Rajeswara Rao uses acrylic colors on acrylic sheets for his medium. “I draw, apply color, roll, and scratch the acrylic sheet to complete the painting,” he explains. A layer of paper is then added to give dimension, volume, and luminosity to the work. “This reverse painting technique, inspired by traditional Tanjore glass painting, is presented in a contemporary manner,” he says.
Rao’s raw passion drives him to explore both the physical and psychological aspects of his subjects, indulging in their excesses. “It is entirely Indian. ‘Satirical Symphony’ is a visual narrative of what I see and have witnessed over the past twenty years,” he adds. Rao captures the essence of people and their stories with photographic precision, yet he portrays them in a fantastical realm. Though he is deeply concerned about these realities, his depictions are witty, dramatic, and humorous, with his multifaceted compositions evoking the viewer’s own dreams and fantasies.
