Panduranga Rao, a retired Mechanical Engineer who has served in Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for 32 years is utilising every minute of his retirement to fulfill his passion for art.
Speaking to City Herald, he introduces the unique concept of ‘Batik art’. One has to trace a picture on a pure cotton or silk cloth and wax it in areas where they want to restrain colour. Dipping the cloth in the lightest colour first, one has to dry it and again wax areas where they don’t want the next colour layer to appear. Hence, one can get unique designs by dipping the cloth in different colour shades and waxing places where they want to retain a particular colour, he explains.
“I was first introduced to Batik concept when I was working in Kolkota. Some of my friends who are also artists saw my oil and water colour paintings and suggested me try this technique. From then on, there was no looking back,” recalls Rao and adds that he was always passionate about art since childhood but took it seriously at the age of 20 when he started earning and could afford to buy the art related paraphernalia.
Pointing at the unique features of Batik, he says that the cloth is de-waxed using hot water once the entire dyeing process is complete. “When one squeezes the cloth while washing the wax gets cracked and the dye tries to enter the cracks. It forms unique shapes and cuts on the painting. This makes the Batik painting look very beautiful,” he says.
“I get very disturbed when I see violence. I feel every person should have moral values and I depict messages which have moral in my paintings,” says Rao and adds that he tried to remind every man that he has to die one day with the painting of a graveyard and the ‘Kalachakara,’ the wheel of time. Rao also paints on topics related to nature.
Rao regrets that children are moving away from art and literature which binds individuals and are presently adjusting to the corporate lifestyle with the increasing technology. “I feel sad when I see children wasting hours in front of computer playing video games and watching TV,” he says and advises students to practice art or be in touch with literature.
When I used to work for SAIL, I was a Sunday painter and most of my time was taken up by my job. Now I enjoy each and every moment of my retirement with my passion. “My wife Sridevi has always encouraged me in my endeavor,” smiles Rao who presently resides in a remote and peaceful place in Kasargod. “I shall continue with my passion till my health permits,” he says.
Rao’s paintings have been exhibited in Australia, Russia, Kolkota and Bangalore.
Art expo
Paunduranga Rao’s oil, water colour and Batik art expo ‘Thrinethra’ will be held at Prasad Art Gallery from July 9 to 14. The expo will be inaugurated by MRPL DGM (Corporate Communications) Lekshmi Kumaran at 5 pm. Interested can also purchase the paintings.