“I grew up surrounded by art, not just as objects on walls but as a way of seeing the world. My father, E. Rohini Kumar, who’s a renowned artist, is my first inspiration. As a child, I often saw my father immersed in his canvas, and I knew that each brushstroke was more than just paint on a surface; it was his way of expressing a deeper connection to the world.
My father’s roots were in Konaseema, a place known for its lush green landscapes. But when he moved to Hyderabad, he found himself captivated by the rugged Deccan rockscapes. His paintings were born from this contrast — Indian subjects depicted with a Western sensibility, blending the traditions of our land with bold, masterful techniques. The strength of his lines, his ability to capture the raw beauty of the Deccan plateau, still stands unmatched. Even today, I haven’t seen such strong, confident strokes in any other artist’s work.
Art wasn’t just my father’s passion; it was the pulse of our family. My aunts were immersed in Carnatic music and Dance. Looking back, I see how much those early experiences shaped me, from the visual arts to the performing arts. It was only natural that I pursued painting, first at Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, and later completing my master’s at JNAFAU. Throughout this journey, I had the privilege of learning from remarkable mentors like K Srinivasa Chari, Srikanth Kurva Garu, Sajid Bin Amar Garu, Mahesh Garu, and Mallesham Garu, each one imparting a unique perspective on art and pushing me to expand my vision.
Though I initially thought I would become a traditional painter like my father, life has a way of taking you down paths you don’t expect. I stumbled into curating, and that’s when I discovered my true artistic expression. My first independent curatorial project, Divine, explored spirituality through art. The success of Divine opened new doors for me, leading to my association with Gallery Veda in Chennai. In the six years since, I’ve learned that curation is more than just organizing an exhibition — it’s a way of telling stories.
To me, curation is storytelling. Whether it’s Chitram, where art meets cinema, or Living Temple, where history meets contemporary expression, my joy lies in weaving together ideas, perspectives, and experiences in ways that engage, educate, and inspire.
Living Temple was born out of a question I’ve often asked myself: why do we separate art, history, and performance when they are all deeply connected? Growing up, my visits to Ajanta and Ellora, and exploring ancient temples with my father, made me realize that temple art, often reduced to religious symbolism or seen merely as tourist attractions, deserves far more respect. These artworks, along with sculptures, music, and dance, were all expressions of the same universal truth. To our ancestors, these art forms weren’t separate but intertwined, each one flowing into the other. Today, archaeologists, performers, and artists work in isolation, telling the same story but from different angles.
Living Temple sought to change this. It wasn’t just about displaying sculptures or ancient temple structures. It was about bringing together artists, archaeologists, conservationists, and performers to share their perspectives and create something larger than what each could do alone. I spent over a year developing the concept. I wanted it to be more than just an art show; I wanted it to be a space where the various threads of India’s rich cultural heritage could be woven together.
What made Living Temple truly unique was the collaboration of over 30 renowned artists, scholars, and performers, each bringing their own expertise to the table. The show featured over 100 exquisite artworks, and the experience was enriched with panel discussions, captivating performances, and workshops. The response has been overwhelmingly positive so far. This isn’t just an exhibition — it’s become a movement, one that I will continue to nurture and grow.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of others. The Telangana government was instrumental in bringing Living Temple to life, and T-Works became our venue partner. With backing from Telangana Tourism and the Arts & Culture Department, we were able to structure something truly special.
As a woman in the field of art curation, I’ve often been asked how gender plays a role in this space. I’ve never believed in the idea of forced equality. To me, asymmetry is more beautiful than symmetry. Men and women bring different energies and perspectives, and I see these differences not as limitations but as strengths. Women have long been masters of their roles, and we don’t need to fight for space in the art world — we need to claim it, own it, and shape it in our own way.
Through my father, I learned that being an artist isn’t about achieving a final goal. It’s about the constant act of creation, the process, and the connections we build along the way. While my father’s work gave me the skill, it was in curation that I found my passion. I get to bring together ideas, artists, and disciplines in ways that might never have come together otherwise. That is my true calling.”