CHENNAI: Rooted in diverse yet intersecting worlds, Chithira Thottam is a group exhibition that brings together four artists whose practices move fluidly across nature, rural life, temple architecture, geometry and portraiture. Vasumathi Perumal, Annapurna Narasimhan, A Murugesan, and Ram Rangarajan draw from lived landscapes and inner reflections, translating soil, stone, symmetry and the human gaze into compelling visual narratives.
Together, the quartet maps a shared terrain where memory, culture and form converge, inviting viewers to pause, observe and discover meaning in both detail and design.
Explore Chithira Thottam, a garden of artworks, at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Thousand Lights, from January 22 to 28.
After establishing her position in business, Vasumathi Perumal returned to her roots and decided to pursue her long-held hobby, art. In her 40s, she completed a diploma in fine arts and, from 2010, began exhibiting her works across India.
I used to be a restless and anxious individual before chasing my passion. However, I am now a completely transformed person and have learned to handle things calmly. I feel relatively young, leading a stress-free lifeVasumathi
Vasumathi
The 55-year-old’s forte lies in acrylics and watercolours. “Through my works, I visualise nature, still life and portraits. Thirty-five artworks of mine will be displayed at the exhibition,” she adds, aiming to try her hand at Impressionism.
Annapurna Narasimhan ventured into art professionally after her mother’s passing. “Before that, since childhood, I pursued art as a hobby. But personal commitments didn’t allow me to think about it seriously. After 2014, I started working in different media, taking my artistic vision to the next level,” she shares.
The artist is exhibiting around 14 works centred on the concept of masculinity and femininity. “When we strike a balance between both, it leads to spirituality and harmony, just as Shiva and Shakti should go together.”
According to Annapurna, art is everything to her, akin to worship. “It is inseparable from me. Art has taught me to stay still, gracefully express my thoughts, handle anger, and channelise my energy positively,” notes the 46-year-old.
“When we strike a balance between both, it leads to spirituality and harmony, just as Shiva and Shakti should go together.”
Annapurna
According to Annapurna, art is everything to her, akin to worship. “It is inseparable from me. Art has taught me to stay still, gracefully express my thoughts, handle anger, and channelise my energy positively,” notes the 46-year-old.
A retired Central Government employee, Murugesan’s artistic journey includes significant international exposure. “Since childhood, I have been keen on pencil art. After a long hiatus, I had the opportunity to move to Holland, where I was trained in painting and introduced to landscapes. Later, I trained under English painters in London,” he says.
For the exhibition, the 74-year-old is displaying 40 to 50 paintings depicting rural and temple scenes of Tamil Nadu.
Art has taught me to see beauty in everything, as nature is about cherishing the simple things in life
Murugesan
With more than 25 years of experience in the corporate world, Ram Rangarajan has been practising art for four decades.
I have explored almost everything within the broad spectrum of art. My vision is to delve deep into geometric progression, which enhances one’s creative potential
Ram Rangarajan
An art therapist, Ram, works with rehabilitation centres. “I am working on a project that enables creative thinking in people. Everything in this world follows geometric patterns, and I use watercolour pencils for my works,” he adds. The 51-year-old artist is exhibiting 24 artworks at the event and believes that art holds immense creative power.