The painting that moved Dr Kalam

Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was immensely captivated by a painting by Gunda Anjaneyulu, an upcoming artist from Nalgonda district, at the ongoing World Metropolis Congress

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao released a book on Telangana art titled ‘art @ telangana’ at the Metropolis World Congress on Tuesday.

The book comprises art works of nearly 150 artists from Telangana. The artworks in this book relate to over 100 years of modern art from 1914 to 2014, which provides glimpses of the glorious tradition and history of the art from the state.

The first copy of the book was presented by the Chief Minister to Jean Paul Hunchon, the president of Metropolis. The book is published by a non-profitable trust comprising noted filmmaker B Narsing Rao, renowned artist Laxman Aeley, lawyer Niranjan Reddy and former IAS officer BV Papa Rao.

Most of the artists featured in the book took part in a nine-day art camp and their art works are being displayed at the conference area of the Metropolis Congress.

Former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was awe-struck by the paintings on display. He was impressed with most of the paintings but said that one specific painting by Gunda Anjaneyulu, an upcoming artist from Nalgonda district, stood out from the rest.

The former President referred to this painting in his address at the XI Metropolis World Congress, saying, “Friends, when I was entering this building a beautiful art attracted me. A still art – of a metallic container with various shades of nature and divinity reflecting in it. Our cities should be modern like a shining metal vessel, like in the painting, yet reflect the beauty of nature and purity of divinity.”

After the speech, Gunda Anjaneyulu was brought to the venue immediately to meet Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The painting was presented to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam by the trust.