AutorickShaws is a recurring design in the work of artist Rajesh Naik. For him, auto is windows for the world since childhood. Growing in Old city of HyderabadHe often looked at – and many times – his father, who lived life by running an autorickshaw. Finally, Rajesh also started driving after school hours to earn pocket money. From the driver’s seat, he observed life on the streets, entangled with passengers and absorbed the city’s lively energy.
At home, he looked at his mother stitching and embroidery to complement family income, which was a skill practiced by many Lamba women.
Rajesh’s journey with art began in class II, and over the years, he found a meeting point between his parents’ voices in his work. Their bizarre pictures, adorned with colored motifs printed on Rexin fabric (usually used in autos), became their signature style. He describes his art as a fusion of drawing, painting, sewing and printmaking. “Initially, I tried to painting on canvas. I trained for five years under Rajeshwar Sir (artist Rajeshwar Rao), but I was not satisfied with what I could. However, printmaking helped me find something new, ”he explains.
His art is also deeply inherent in local pop culture, including the Dakhani phrases, religious imagination, film stars and comics. “From colored products to lights on the streets, I fascinated me from the lights of the auto’s rear-view mirror. I tried to bring all that in my art, ”he says.
Now final year Master of Fine Arts Students Poti Sriramulu Telugu UniversityRajesh has performed his works on the first group show. His first single exhibition, Naik City, will open in Hyderabad later this week, with more than 50 artifacts.
One of the artifacts of Rajesh Naik. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Rajesh says that he was interested in art under guidance received at Sanskrit school, which was established by experienced artist Ba Reddy and his daughter Padma Reddy and son -in -law A. Was run by Rajeshwar Rao-all famous artists are in itself. “I was not great in academics, but I was always ready to my art classes,” he remembers.
Annapurna Madde Dipadiga, the curator of Akti Picture, has described Rajesh’s artistic style as a confluence of Padma’s cleverness in Ba Reddy’s default, bizarre drawing techniques of Rajeshwar and printmaking. “Unknowingly, Rajesh has absorbed the best techniques from the three artists and now through her art tells her own stories in a compelling way,” she explains.
Rajesh was also advised by a respected artist Laxma GoudAnd Annapurna credited his discipline and dedication for that protection.
When Rajesh decided to pursue art as a degree in Sri Venkateswara College of Fine Arts, it was an unfamiliar route for his family. However, he did not face resistance. “As long as I contributed financially to the family, he had no objection,” he says. To support himself, Rajesh fired the auto in the evening and nights, earning ₹ 5,000 per month.
The moment of his success came when he won an annual competition organized by the State Gallery of Art, Hyderabad, which led to the opportunity to host his first single exhibition.
In addition to AutorickShaws, the architecture of the old city of Hyderabad is a part of Rajesh Naik’s artefacts Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Annapurna gave the title of exhibition ‘Naik City’ to highlight Rajesh’s specific perspective on life on the streets of Hyderabad. For Rajesh, the autorickshaw is more than just a vehicle – it is a friend. Even he likes it from Michael Jackson, assuming that, like the king of the pop, an auto can easily navigate the intentions of the city!
His attraction with superheroes also find his way in his art, Spider-Man often appears in his actions, symbolizing an auto-like agility. One of their artifacts is humorously captioned, “Pushpa has an auto, will stop Nahin Sala …” (This is Pushpa’s auto – it won’t stop, friend!).
As Rajesh is ready for his first single exhibition, he is curious to see how visitors respond to their work. He said, “I will complete my studies soon and expect to work as an artist in New Delhi for a few years to gain more experiences.”
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Published – February 12, 2025 01:13 pm IST
