An artist who visualises his paintings

A painting that depicts the imagination of an artist which is far from reality, is an abstract artwork. An art lover needs to be enthusiastic to understand the artist’s imagination and appreciate the abstract artwork,” said renowned artist SV Rama Rao.

In a chat with The Hans India, he said: “There are many eminent artists like Damerla Rama Rao, Vaddadi Papayya, Sankar and Bapu. Everyone has their own style of art. I’ve always wanted to draw something special in my own style.”

The comment of AS Raman, the first Indian editor of The Illustrated Weekly, on Rama Rao’s artwork aptly describes his greatness. “I first saw Rama Rao’s artwork in London in 1967. It was a drawing reproduced in Highbrow London Magazine. Its editor Alan Ross, covering the caption of the drawing with his handkerchief, asked me to identify the artist. My immediate response was `Picasso’. Ross said `No. Wrong. He is from your country, Rama Rao.”

Rama Rao was born at Gudivada in 1936. He completed his graduation in Economics and Commerce. On the advice of Madhavapeddi Gokhale, a famous cine art director of the yesteryears, he joined the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Madras.

He was encouraged by DP Roy Choudhury, principal of the college, who recognized his inherent artistic skills. He received the research scholarship for three consecutive years. He also got the prestigious Commonwealth Fellowship of the British Government.

Rama Rao who has his own unique style of art, invented a painting technique called Magic Painting. Explaining the technique, he said, “Normally oil paint is used to paint on hard surface like wood and water colours on cardboard. The oil painting drawn on cardboard using the Magic Painting technique makes the viewers believe that it is done with water colours.”

The technique was hailed by the London County Council, which fetched him the Lord Croft Award. The scenic beauty of River Krishna, Indrakeeladri, the abode of Goddess Kanaka Durga, and Vijayawada are some of his inspirations. All his paintings reflect his dreams on canvas.

In a series of abstracts, Rama Rao created exceptional artworks of a musical presentation entwining the perennial Krishna River, the everlasting glow of the divine light on the waves and the ethereal wind playing a colourful eternal dance. He is of the view that literary knowledge is vital for artists to attain perfection and excel in the field of art.

Speaking about his artworks, Rama Rao who settled in Chicago, said,“My paintings are based on meadows, clouds, mountains, sky with tinges and two dimensions. I visualise my paintings as if I am gazing at the earth while flying in the sky. The soothing sight of water from the sky is amazing as I see it with my spiritual eyes.”

The paintings of Rama Rao, a Padma Shri awardee, were exhibited at many national and international art exhibitions. He was also honoured with a Doctorate by Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. Rama Rao who participated in the Second Commonwealth Biennale of Abstract Art in London in 1965, was adjudged The Most Outstanding Artist in the Commonwealth.

He won several other awards for his eminence in the field of art. His biography was included in the `Outstanding Educators of America’ published from Washington DC. The eminent artist is also a famous poet. His `Consoling Friend’ and other poems were published in America Bharathi, a literary magazine published by the American Telugu Association. “My English teacher and ANR College vice-principal Yedavalli Sanyasi Rao encouraged me to write poetry, which I also enjoy a lot.’’