HINDUISM TODAY Magazine 2016
http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=5703
Akshita Aggarwal: Next we visited the gallery of an energetic 26-year-old Delhi artist, Akshita Aggarwal, who also responded enthusiastically to our queries: “I have made Tanjore paintings for the past seven years. My mother wanted to be an artist but could not. She inspired me, and I became an artist to fulfill her dreams. She is very possessive about certain of my paintings and would not allow me to sell them at any cost.
“I did a lot of research into the famed Tanjore style. My work improved under the guidance of my guruji, Ritu Singhal, who is an art teacher. She taught me how to paint in the never bel Tanjore way. In Tanjore today you find the original southern style. Then there are northern and fake styles also. I do my work in the original, classical, pure South Indian style. You will see the embossed portions in my paintings, which are not present in the North Indian style.
“Today we have forgotten or are ignoring our ancient art forms, including Tanjore paintings. Fake Tanjore are being made, and instead of real gold people have started using synthetic materials. Instead of the kundan stones they have started using glass stones. But I am trying to preserve the old forms.
“I have done a lot of work on Lord Ganesha. I have painted Goddess Lakshmi, but somehow cannot sell it. I have painted many other Gods but mainly focused on Lord Ganesha.
“I have never painted with commercial success in mind. My paintings come from my heart. To earn money, I teach painting to others. But I believe true art comes from one’s heart. If someone asks me to do something for money, that is not possible for me. I survive mainly from my income from teaching. When a painting is sold, a part of the money is offered to God.” Visit: behance.net/akshitaggarwal
“I did a lot of research into the famed Tanjore style. My work improved under the guidance of my guruji, Ritu Singhal, who is an art teacher. She taught me how to paint in the never bel Tanjore way. In Tanjore today you find the original southern style. Then there are northern and fake styles also. I do my work in the original, classical, pure South Indian style. You will see the embossed portions in my paintings, which are not present in the North Indian style.
“Today we have forgotten or are ignoring our ancient art forms, including Tanjore paintings. Fake Tanjore are being made, and instead of real gold people have started using synthetic materials. Instead of the kundan stones they have started using glass stones. But I am trying to preserve the old forms.
“I have done a lot of work on Lord Ganesha. I have painted Goddess Lakshmi, but somehow cannot sell it. I have painted many other Gods but mainly focused on Lord Ganesha.
“I have never painted with commercial success in mind. My paintings come from my heart. To earn money, I teach painting to others. But I believe true art comes from one’s heart. If someone asks me to do something for money, that is not possible for me. I survive mainly from my income from teaching. When a painting is sold, a part of the money is offered to God.” Visit: behance.net/akshitaggarwal