An art gallery may not be a new concept but the latest addition to the City’s art galleries — Varnayaaga — claims they are all about redefining the concept of how art should reach people and positively influence their lives.

Varnayaaga, meaning an offering of colours to the divine, is situated amidst nature in C V Raman Nagar.
Vasantha Vaikunth, the brain behind this unique art gallery, is an internationally recognised dancer who believes that dance is a prayer and art is man’s offering to divinity.

At Varnayaaga, Vasantha promises to display works of leading artists from across the country that will include contemporary sculptures in stone, clay and metal, murals and multi-media work on canvas. One Indian or foreign artist will be showcased every month in the gallery while workshops will be conducted once in two months. There will be in-house artists who will share their views and opinions on various issues concerning art.

Vasantha has given more than 100 performances and won recognition for her contribution in dance receiving the Kalavidushi award from Tufts University, USA. She also has to her credit the Acharya Kala Vipannchi, Pravasi Bharatiya award along with the title of Queen of Aesthetics from France.  She has also authored a book called ‘Spirituality in Dance’. As an artist, she paints as a way to express and elevate herself. A multi-faceted personality who has served as India’s cultural ambassador in Oman, she has trained more than 50 people in Bharatanatyam who inturn are imparting this knowledge in various parts of the world.

Vasantha is a columnist with the Times of Oman and has a dance school in Muscat, the Shiva Shakthi School of Dance, that keeps Indian traditions alive in the Middle East.

“Varnayaaga is really a culmination of efforts, the supreme offering to the supreme being. The main aim of this gallery is to promote artists from India and bring artists from other countries to retain the culture and traditions of art as a whole,” says she.