MIRROR IMA32 Reflection of suppressed hues

45-year-old Dalit artist, whose works were exhibited in France and London, captures the pain & travails of the oppressed on canvas.

- RITHIKA SRINIVASAN

SILENCE echoed through the gallery at Auroville even as many potential buyers pondered over the paintings on display. While the viewers gaze for long at the pictures, which mostly depict underprivileged women, the artist's intent comes into play. The goal is simple: reflect the oppressed ones' lives on canvas; let the world behold the reality.

From walking through the narrow streets of his village to showcasing his works at global art exhibitions, the creations of K Sridhar, a Villupurambased artist, never fail to ignite a unique dialogue between the canvas and its viewers. Hailing from a Dalit family in Thondarettipalayam village, this 45-year-old's journey from a humble childhood to a celebrated artist stands intertwined amidst his reflections on freedom, human resilience, and the livelihood of the working class.

Born to a father who worked as a wall painting artist, Sridhar grew up observing a certain kind of art content that frequently adorned their surroundings. "Mostly, it will be paintings of BR Ambedkar, Hindu deities (for temples), and portraits of political figures.

Yet, the magic of the paintbrush stroking the wall, turning the barren surface into a full picture, fascinated me. Being a naive kid, that was what art meant to me back then," says Sridhar pondering over his long-lost childhood days.