Who is Vaikuntam? Without painting, I am nothing.
Born in Burugupalli village (Karimnagar, Telangana), into a family where his father ran a grocery shop.
1942
Enrols at the College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad.
1960
Completes his Diploma in Painting at the College of Fine Arts, Hyderabad.
1965-70
Trains in Painting and Printmaking under K.G. Subramanyan.
1971-72
Served 15 years as an art teacher at Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Hyderabad.
1972-87
Worked on the film Maa Bhoomi as part of his parallel practice in art direction for cinema.
1979
Art Director for Daasi.
Receives the Biennale Award from Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal.
1988
Wins a National Award for his art direction on Daasi, bringing his visual sensibility in cinema to national attention.
1989
Contributes to Matti Manushulu as part of ongoing film art direction engagements.
1990
Receives the Lalit Kala Akademi National Award for Painting.
1993
Exhibition and Book release at Berkeley Square Gallery, London in association with Saffronart “Rustic Ragas: Melodies of Thota Vaikuntam”
2008
Saffronart Exhibition and Publication: “The Last Supper: 35 Pieces of Art”
Institute of Contemporary Indian Art / Astaguru Exhibition and Publication: “Bronzed: Paint to Patina”
2019
Saffronart “Thota Vaikuntam: A Celebration.” Exhibition and Book release in Mumbai and Delhi.
2022
Saffronart Exhibition and Publication: “Equus”
2023
Astaguru Exhibition and Publication: “Sculpted: From Paint to Patina”
2024
Chosen for the 32nd Yudhvir Foundation Memorial Award; the honor recognises his role in placing Telangana’s culture on the global stage.
Saffronart Exhibition and Publication “Alchemies of Form: A Public Art Initiative”
Astaguru Exhibition and Publication “Thota Vaikuntam: The Sacred Gaze”