As a kid, Nayakoti Damodhar would deliver newspapers at households to be able to buy enough art materials to continue his studies at the art college. Today, he has won the gold medal at the 76th All India Art Exhibition conducted by the Hyderabad Art Society in association with the Exhibition Society. Says Damodhar, “I was a student at Jyoti Vidyalaya and would always draw sketches in my study books. My vice principal Vijayalaxmi, encouraged me to take up art. In 2001, I wrote the entrance exam at the now JNFAU, but secured a seat in the sculpture. Since I was more interested in painting, I did not join the college. I had to sustain myself and hence, would go to the ancillary industries to work on the lathe machine as a daily labourer. The next year I could get enough marks and I got my seat to pursue B.F.A in painting. The journey continued and I joined M.F.A. The initial joy of painting turned into a nightmare, as I would always be short of money to buy material without which I would be left standing outside the classroom. I took up part time assignments of making portraits and murals to survive this crisis. If one sees the award-winning painting, it could look like an ordinary pigeon.
Nayakoti’s painting
However, there is more to it. “Every human being has two aspects of behaviour — a matured one and a childlike one. Many do not want to bring out the childlike thoughts in public, afraid that they would be laughed at. I wanted to show both thoughts through the sketches in the background and the ‘photo realistic’ pigeon, which has a unique colour that represents ‘the artists colour’. I’m waiting to buy my favourite art material with the cash award,” he says.
— The writer is a musician, creator of ‘Jaywant Guitar’ and a freelance photographer
