“Back in school, I would lose track of time while sketching in my notebooks. For me, art wasn’t just a hobby, it was the one thing that felt like mine. But it was only after my board exams that I dared to take it seriously. I joined an art class during the summer and completed a certificate course, and that gave me the courage to apply for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at Lucknow College.

Those years changed me. I began exploring themes like the universe, déjà vu, and metamorphosis, ideas that kept me questioning and imagining. At the same time, I picked up a camera. Street photography in places like Varanasi and Baroda taught me to see life differently, to notice fleeting expressions, and everyday lives that often go unseen.

After finishing my Bachelor’s, I wanted to dig deeper into the connections between art, history, and culture. That’s what brought me to Hyderabad for a Master of Visual Arts in Art History and Visual Studies at the University of Hyderabad. My dissertation looks at something very specific yet fascinating, the architectural influence of imported Asian materials in temples, especially Japanese majolica tiles brought by Marwadi merchants to Begum Bazar. The way these tiles became part of temple craftsmanship tells its own story of trade, culture, and design.

I’ve been fortunate to be mentored by Dr. Baishali Ghosh, who has pushed me to approach research with both curiosity and rigour. The University of Hyderabad has also given me space to collaborate across departments and see art in a wider context.

For me, art has never been just about creating something beautiful, it’s about connections. Between past and present. Between tradition and innovation. Between what we see and what we feel. That search for connection is what keeps me going.”

– Vartika Bhatt, Art Student