Artist Maredu Ramu and his work | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“There is nothing mystical about my work. I paint what the common man would understand – scenes from day-to-day life – which I capture by observing my surroundings,” says Hyderabad-based artist Mareedu Ramu. Like most artists, I am influenced and inspired by my surroundings.”
“Autorickshaws, tea stalls, Hyderabadi biryani and special Irani tea – there is no plan. I paint as I see them and that’s usually what brings a smile,” says the artist, talking about the spontaneous nature of his process.
A picture is worth 1,000 words and Maredu’s pictures negate the need for elaboration. In every piece, nature can be seen attempting to side with civilization – trees blossom on dreary construction sites, while brilliantly feathered birds perch on autorickshaws as man tries to make sense of the chaos he has created .
Work by artist Maredu Ramu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Using bold brush strokes and bright colors, Muredu vividly depicts the fading innocence of the world he once knew. “I began to notice a change in my surroundings; How the ancient rocky landscape of Hyderabad was turning into a concrete jungle. This affected me and I started capturing every instance of this encroachment in public places with my work.
Maredu, who belongs to an agricultural family in Peddapalli, Telangana, says that he was not much inclined towards studies as a child. “I was only interested in drawing,” he laughs, adding that it was his art teacher who saw beyond his doodling and encouraged him to take up art for his higher studies.
His pursuit of a Masters of Fine Arts from the Central University in Hyderabad exposed Maredu to the exquisite beauty of the Mohenjodaro sculptures and the work of Raja Ravi Varma, as well as European masters such as Van Gogh. He also became aware of the gradual shift in art from the world of brush, paint and canvas to digitization.
Work by artist Maredu Ramu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Maredu says that as part of the college curriculum, all the students had to try their hand at different media and she liked acrylic.
While much of his work depicts how the urban concrete jungle is replacing rural agriculture, Maredu also enjoys representing aspects of Telangana culture through his work such as Bhatukamma and Vaikuntham-style paintings. He also creates installations “as required by the subject” based on real life events, using fibre, wood or stone.
Constantly documenting his surroundings as a full-time artist, Maredu says his visits to cities like Bengaluru are an eye-opener to the effects of globalisation. “It is not just about Hyderabad, it is true for any city; Wherever you go the greenery shrinks and the chirping of birds fades away, the sounds of the city change.
twenty two canvases, ranging in size Ranging from 1×1 to 3×3 feet, they are part of Walk Through the City and will be on display at the MKF Museum of Art until April 30, 2023.
Work by artist Maredu Ramu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Work by artist Maredu Ramu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Artist Maredu Ramu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Artist Maredu Ramu at work | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Work by artist Maredu Ramu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement