Tunty Chauhan with V. Ramesh

Artists are known to be people of erratic moods, sudden whimsies. But V. Ramesh likes to follow a set routine. At his home in Visakhapatnam, he teaches art at Andhra University, paints in his studio, loves to listen to Carnatic music and retires early to bed.

Poetry and spirituality inspire V. Ramesh and are reflected in his latest work, ‘Sanctum Sanctorum: A Corner of Four Sisters,’ based on poetry of women Bhakti mystics: Lal Ded from Kashmir, Karaikkal Ammiyar and Andal from Tamil Nadu and Akka Mahadevi from Karnataka.
V. Ramesh shares a longstanding association with Tunty Chauhan, owner of Threshold art gallery. “Don’t you know I am his second wife,” jokes Tunty. We catch the gallery owner and her favourite artist in conversation at the India Art Fair in Delhi.
Tunty Chauhan (TC): I met you when I was just starting a gallery in Visakhapatnam and you guided me through the entire process, introducing me to other artists. Can you just flashback to 1997 and share your side of the story?
V. Ramesh (VR): I think you are overdoing it (laughs), Tunty. It had been a while, when I shifted from Baroda to Visakhapatnam and I was a part of the artist circle there. You were starting a new gallery and I just thought I would familiarise you with the art environment there. I also realised you had a great passion and a keen eye. Over the years, I have seen the passion spiralling.

TC: I guess, we should start a mutual admiration club! People know you as a painter. Tell us about your love for Carnatic music and how it reflects in your work.
VR: My love for music goes back to my Baroda days. I loved listening to Hindustani classical music. As I shifted to the South, I became involved with Carnatic music. It soothes my senses and helps me in my thinking process while I am working. In Carnatic music, a musician brings out not only the poetic and philosophical nuances of the given lyrics but also sings it in different ways to explore and reveal many new facets. In my art I use this concept to layer my works with thoughts and ideas to reveal a deeper meaning.

TC: Over the last few years, I have realised that your works are immensely layered. There are times when I see you working on something at the studio and visualise the finished work. But it appears completely different when I see it. Do you consciously bring in the layered aspect in your work?
VR: I don’t know if I do it consciously or not. But I am very slow in my work and usually take six months to finish a painting. So I try working on three to four paintings simultaneously. If I visualise something and my finished product is not up to the mark, I keep making changes to it. So the finished work does have many layers. My attempt as a painter is to translate the written word to the possibilities of the painted image. So the image has to conform to the written word. The layering helps in achieving that, at times.

TC: Not many would know this, but you are a wonderful writer. Can you talk about this passion of yours? You also love to teach students. Tell us about your other loves in life.
VR: I also make major spelling mistakes when I write (laughs)! I love reading medieval poetry and mythology, and often use it as an allegory as it allows multiple readings of the image depicted. As a result, the written word does appeal to me. Whenever I feel like it, I jot down a few lines. I don’t know if they make much sense! As for teaching, I love sharing my knowledge with students in Andhra University. They usually get hands-on training in my studio, where they can come in whenever they want to.

TC: You usually lead a quiet existence and stay away from media glare and socialising. Do you enjoy solitude?
VR: Yes, I am a boring man with a not-so-happening life! I like to stay away from the hectic social life of the metros. In fact, at the India Art Fair when I socialise with my contemporaries, I get tired of it easily. I enjoy a relaxed pace of life as an artist and teacher back home in Visakhapatnam.