LIVING LEGENDS: CURATING A MILESTONE EXHIBITION WITH LAXMA GOUD AND THOTA VAIKUNTAM

The idea of curating an exhibition of contemporary Indian masters had been brewing in my mind for many years. This spring, Laasya Art carried out this vision with Living Legends, a two-person exhibition featuring iconic artists Laxma Goud and Thota Vaikuntam.

Both Laxma ji and Thota ji were among the first few artists I got to know when I began my journey in Indian art back in 2006. Their works, personal journeys, and artistic philosophies were absolutely foundational to my education in the contemporary art world.

I always knew that I wanted to present their art in the Bay Area one day, so it was quite an honor—and an emotional milestone—to transform this dream into a reality.

Capturing the Lives Behind Two Contemporary Indian Art Legends

From the outset, I knew it would be a challenge for the artists to travel to the U.S. for the exhibition, so I wanted to present their work in a way where collectors got to know these legends as individuals and as artists. That’s when I thought of creating documentary films about each artist’s distinct style and story.

When I suggested making short films on each of them, they were both genuinely excited by this idea. What followed was an extraordinary process of trust and collaboration. They welcomed the filmmaking crew into their studios—sharing personal photographs, old scrapbooks, and historic paintings from their archives.

As part of the filming process, I interviewed both artists, and they opened up about topics very close to their hearts. I recalled their warmth and generosity when I first met them decades ago, and to be able to share that spirit with the Bay Area community was a beautiful, full-circle moment.

Zauq: The World of Laxma Goud

In Urdu, “zauq” stands for taste, delight, and aesthetic sense; for Laxma ji, it embodies the relish with which he lives every day. With the short film Zauq: The World of Laxma Goud, we captured something truly special—for the first time, Laxma ji demonstrated the entire etching process. Etching is one of his favorite mediums and a significant part of his practice, so it was a joy to witness it up close.

Similarly, we observed him create an impromptu drawing of a woman and a goat. These two motifs have frequently appeared throughout his seven-decade career, and he is known for his delicate linework in drawing. In fact, he is regarded as one of India’s finest draftsmen today.

Laxma ji also shared his old scrapbooks from the 1960s and early 70s, dating back to his years as a student at the Government College of Fine Arts and Architecture in Hyderabad and at M.S. University in Baroda. Looking through those photos felt like a peek into history in the making.

Thota Vaikuntam: The Making of the Telangana Woman

Thota ji’s personal journey of perseverance is such an important part of his legacy as an artist, and we wanted to document his remarkable story in Thota Vaikuntam: The Making of the Telangana Woman.

Thota ji showed us some of his early artworks from the 1970s and 80s, which I had not previously seen. Some of these early paintings were actually done on newspaper, because he could not afford paper.

His iconic Telangana Woman started to take shape during this period. This image continued to evolve throughout the late 1980s and early 90s, when Thota ji arrived at the style of the Telangana Woman as we know her today.

It was fascinating to listen to Thota ji’s reflections on his struggles and triumphs. For years, he balanced full-time jobs with his art practice, working as the art director on Telugu films by his friend B. Narsing Rao and later teaching art to children at Bal Bhavan. He refused to give up on his vision, however, and his determination ultimately led to his success. He also reflected on his relationship with his mother, who remained a source of quiet support and strength for him throughout his life.

Bridging Indian Masters with U.S. Contemporary Art Audiences

Both Laxma Goud and Thota Vaikuntam are widely recognized figures in contemporary Indian art, yet their works have only been exhibited in the U.S. on a limited basis. For many visitors to Living Legends, this exhibition served as an introduction to these artists. And there were visitors who were such fans of the artists that they drove for 2 or 3 hours to see the exhibition!

Looking back, the exhibition became a bridge between generations, geographies, and cultures—exactly what I hoped to create when I founded Laasya Art more than a decade ago.

Although Living Legends has concluded, Laxma Goud and Thota Vaikuntam’s artworks can be viewed by private appointment in Palo Alto, California. Please reach out to us at +1 650-770-9088 or info@laasyaart.com.

— Sonia Nayyar Patwardhan