With Anantyam Kala, Hyderabad will get a new venue for high-end art

(l) view of space; Sisters Jyotsna Kumar and Snigdha Reddy. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Located in the bylanes of Narsingi/Kokapet – the growing IT hub of Hyderabad – Ananthyam Kala (AQ) Art Gallery promises to change the art circuit of the city. The gallery is scheduled to be formally launched on December 22, with their flagship event – ​​Concours by Qala (a competition of art for artists across India with a prize fund of ₹1 lakh each for the winners and gallery collaboration). The winners will be celebrated. ‘Ananthyam’ meaning ‘infinite’ is envisioned as a venue for high-end, exclusive art and an art firm acting as a bridge between artists and their audiences.

multi-purpose venue

Co-founded by two sisters Jyotsna Kumar and Snigdha Reddy, the spacious 3000 sq. ft. AQ is designed as a multi-purpose, well-lit space with high-quality audio-video systems suitable for art shows, workshops and performing arts Has gone. “AQ is driven by the passion and ambition of two women who have broken many stereotypes in their personal and professional lives over the years. His belief in Ananthyam Kala is simple – to be able to love what we do is a blessing, and to be able to do what we love is a huge privilege,” a release said.

Presently housing Jyotsna’s personal collection of artworks including Mithila paintings by renowned folk artist Baua Devi, the walls of the gallery come alive. The space with a mini stage area has collapsible multi-purpose wooden panels to hang some artworks that help in visual representation during video art or simply collapsed in front of a window.

tribute to grandfather

Jyotsna Kumar and Snigdha Reddy Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ananthyam Kaala is a tribute to Mahavir Lal ‘the Painter’ from his two granddaughters Jyotsna and Snigdha. Jyotsna says, ‘He was an accomplished artist who got ‘name but no money’ and AQ not only wants to carry forward his legacy but also advocate for the dignity and fair recognition of artists.’

Born and brought up in Patna, Jyotsna has been living in Hyderabad for over a decade. Currently serving as a Director at Google (the company’s first woman director), Jyotsna’s art journey began as an art collector.

The neighborhood is an ideal location for the sisters’ passion project, directed by Snigdha’s husband Padmaathi Sandeep Reddy. “This part of town is coming up in a big way in terms of wealthy people and people who appreciate the arts.”

Understanding the Art Market

Earlier, Jyotsna was not optimistic about the Hyderabad art scene. Heart-felt conversations with artists to understand what they want has helped them understand the art market and build a brand that offers unique, distinctive art. “This is not a shop to sell art,” says Jyotsna, “I am a firm believer in change; What worked before will not work in the future. To become good in the coming months, one needs to become great so that development can happen rapidly.” While she doesn’t want artists to think of the gallery as a place where ‘they will be exploited’ to build their catalogue, she hopes they will see it as a center for mature conversations paving the way for long-term collaborations. Will see.

Jyotsna says performing arts will be a big part of the gallery. “It’s going to be the center of events related to the performing arts because it strengthens engagement and builds relationships.”

With her professional commitments, can she manage this new endeavor? “I’m just the brains behind it; “I have a capable, strong team executing this.” While her husband Abhijeet Kumar takes care of the gallery logistics and event management, Snigdha and Sandeep will run it full-time.

With aspiration to start a foundation, the sisters hope to expand their plans to Maheshwaram, a village in Telangana, to set up something new on 10,000 square feet.