Oman’s culture finds expression in art of an Indian
MUSCAT: For Kavitha Ramakrishna, art is an exciting pursuit and she is a practitioner of the ancient Indian art form of Tanjore painting. Today, the Times of Oman (TOO) is featuring Kavitha Ramakrishna in its #OmanPride Campaign.
“Anything that is artistic attracts me, especially drawings and paintings. From childhood, I have been fascinated by the arts,” Ramakrishna told
Tanjore painting is an important form of classical South Indian painting, native to the town of Tanjavur in Tamil Nadu. It is an art form that dates back to about 1600 A.D., a period where the Nayakas of Tanjavur encouraged this art.
Tanjore paintings are created on solid wood planks referred to as “Palagai Padam.” Gold sheet and semi-precious stones are key materials used for this art. The rich vibrant colours, dashes of gold and semi precious stones add beauty and culture to a variety of surroundings and decor.
Ramakrishna’s works bring together the right blend of the Indian traditional art and the rich Omani culture into the canvas. Some of her works have been presented to various Omani institutions as a gesture of goodwill and she has received many accolades from the Oman Government.
“Inspired by the cultural unity that exists between Oman and India, also the beauty and richness of the Omani culture, I took up the venture to put the beautiful Omani jewellery and artefacts on the canvas using vivid colours and compact composition used in the Tanjore paintings,” Ramakrishna said. According to her, Maitha bin Saif Al Mahrouqi, undersecretary, Ministry of Tourism, is the driving force behind her Omani works.