Artist, Laxman Aelay: “Master of Nostalgic Realism”

Born in 1965 in the heart of the Nalgonda district in Andhra Pradesh, India, Laxman Aelay stands as a highly acclaimed artist hailing from Hyderabad. His artistic journey is intricately woven with the tapestry of his ancestral village, Kadirenigudem, now part of Telangana. Here, the impoverished lives of the villagers serve as a wellspring of inspiration, igniting his passion for creating bold and evocative figurative art.

Laxman Aelay’s artistic ascent is marked by his exceptional versatility and creative evolution. His career commenced as a signboard painter, and he swiftly transitioned to book design and illustration, earning esteemed recognition within the Telugu literary sphere. Despite having obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree, his inner artist impelled him to earn a BA in Painting from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University College of Fine Arts in Hyderabad.

Throughout his artistic voyage, Laxman Aelay consistently innovated while remaining anchored in his enduring subjects. He began with large-scale works, oscillated towards smaller formats, and circled back to expansive canvases in his most recent series. His unique black, white, and grey compositions, juxtaposed against vividly painted backgrounds in hues of red, green, blue, purple, and ochre, garnered immense popularity. Subsequently, he ventured into crafting realistic yet vibrant depictions of people against subtly textured backgrounds in his ‘Song of the Village’ series. Through the masterful use of color, he accentuated intricate details in jewelry, traditional clothing, and floral elements. In his latest ‘Poolamma Series,’ Laxman Aelay delves into hyperrealism, employing bold and captivating colors to create striking, attention-grabbing paintings.

Laxman Aelay’s artistic journey took flight with his first solo exhibition at the Indian Council of Cultural Relations Art Gallery in Hyderabad in 1999. Even prior to this, he received an award from the Hyderabad Art Society in 1995, acknowledging his burgeoning talent. His artistic footprint extends far and wide, with significant participation in prominent shows and exhibitions, including representing India at an international exposition organized by TAANA in Chicago, USA.

A moment of profound honor arrived when he was entrusted with designing the emblem of the newly formed state of Telangana in 2014, an emblem rich in iconic symbolism. Laxman Aelay’s body of work enjoys recognition both nationally and internationally, solidifying his place as a master of nostalgic realism. His art is a captivating narrative that breathes life into the stories of the marginalized and forgotten, offering a poignant reminder of their existence and experiences through the canvas of his creativity.

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