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Art has the power to preserve history, inspire people, and transform lives. For this remarkable contemporary Indian artist, painting is not only a creative pursuit but also a way of giving back to society.
After dedicating 35 years as a Professor of Economics at Osmania University, she chose to embrace her childhood passion for art after retirement. Today, her unique sand paintings and textured artworks help her raise funds for charitable causes across India and abroad.
During her career as an Economics Professor, she also published three books:-
At Bhavkala, we are honoured to share the inspiring journey of an artist whose work beautifully combines craftsmanship, culture, and compassion.
Born in Bengaluru and raised in Hyderabad, the artist grew up in a family where creativity was always encouraged. Both of her parents enjoyed drawing and making handicrafts, inspiring her and her sisters to create greeting cards, paintings, and handmade artworks from an early age.
Although she dreamt of pursuing Fine Arts professionally, she chose a different academic path and completed her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD in Economics before becoming a professor at Osmania University.
For over three decades, she inspired students through teaching while quietly nurturing her artistic passion alongside her academic career.
Retirement became the beginning of a new creative chapter.
She enrolled in an art programme designed for senior citizens, where she refined her understanding of realism, oil painting, acrylics, charcoal, and other traditional mediums.
During this programme, she encountered a technique that would eventually define her artistic identity—painting with sand.
The textured artwork creates remarkable three-dimensional effects, making sculptures, temples, and architectural details appear almost lifelike.
Today, this distinctive approach has become one of the signatures of her artistic practice.
Every sand painting begins with patience.
A layer of sand is carefully fixed onto the canvas before colour is gradually added using acrylic paints. The process requires multiple stages of drying, layering, and detailing, often taking more than a week to complete a single large artwork.
The resulting texture captures the timeless beauty of ancient Indian stone sculptures, temple carvings, and heritage monuments in a way that traditional painting alone cannot achieve.
Many of her most admired works are inspired by the iconic Belur-Halebid temples of Karnataka, portraying intricate sculptures, dancers, temple architecture, and sacred figures with extraordinary depth and realism.
Much of the artist’s work celebrates India’s spiritual and architectural legacy.
From serene temple landscapes and graceful classical dancers to divine figures like Lord Ganesha, Nandi Maharaj, and Lord Krishna, each artwork reflects a deep admiration for Indian history and craftsmanship.
The quiet devotion, timeless elegance, and spiritual presence in her paintings invite viewers to experience India’s heritage through texture, light, and emotion.
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of her journey is the purpose behind her art.
Instead of treating painting solely as a commercial practice, she has chosen to dedicate much of the proceeds from her artworks to charitable organisations.
For the past several years, her paintings have helped support the National Association for the Blind (NAB), where proceeds from artwork sales contribute towards vocational training and skill development programmes for visually impaired individuals.
Many of her paintings have also supported temples and charitable organisations in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, helping raise funds for community initiatives and social welfare.
Through exhibitions, donations, and generous collectors, her art continues to create meaningful impact beyond gallery walls.
Creativity, for her, is rooted in consistency.
Nearly every day begins with dedicated studio time spent working on large sand paintings or oil compositions. Afternoons and evenings are often reserved for smaller watercolour works, coloured pencil drawings, or acrylic studies.
This disciplined routine has enabled her to create hundreds of artworks over the years while continually exploring new ideas and techniques.
Her practice demonstrates that artistic excellence is not only inspired by talent but also shaped through patience, persistence, and daily dedication.
Her unique approach to sand painting has received recognition in exhibitions and competitions across India.
She has participated in numerous local and national exhibitions, earning awards and appreciation for her textured paintings. Her artworks have also found homes with collectors in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Each painting celebrates not only the beauty of ancient sculptures and temples but also the enduring values of generosity, compassion, and cultural preservation.
At BhavKala, we believe art becomes even more meaningful when it connects creativity with purpose. Through her textured paintings and unwavering commitment to social impact, this inspiring artist reminds us that every brushstroke has the power to preserve heritage, transform lives, and create lasting change.
