Art Gallery

Vaddadi Papaiah

World had seen people who crave for publicity. Some even go to the extent of 'organising' their own felicitations and titles. But, here was a man who always brushed aside requests from reputed organisations and arts associations, who voluntarily offered to felicitate him and confer titles on him.

Vaddadi Papaiah was born on September 10, 1921. His father Rama Murthy was a drawing and drill teacher in a government school and mother Mahalakshmi was a homemaker.

First inspiration came in the form of a painting "Kodanda Rama", a work of the great Ravi Verma hung in his house. Then it was his father who taught him the basics of painting. After completing his school final in 1938, he never turned back to academic pursuits as he entered head long into the profession of art.

At the early age of five, Papaiah drew a sketch of Lord Hanuman taking inspiration from the Ravi Verma painting. It will again puzzle the art lovers to know that the renowned artist never underwent any special courses or training to excel in the art. His first painting "Rathi Manmadha" published in Andhra Jyothi in 1942 became a topic for discussion in the art loving circles.

He was married to Nukarajamma in 1947 and to Lakshmi Mangamma in 1984. He was blessed with three sons and a daughter.

Subject matter for Papaiah's paintings were always taken from nature, epics and female models. Though initially he exhibited his works in Kharagpur, Srikakulam and Jharsiguda later on he declined to exhibit. He never sent any of his works to arts exhibitions or competitions. Vapa, as he was popularly known, represented Telugu's culture with interlaced modern art.

He also brought life to sarcastic cartoonism in media during his days. Though Vapa demised on December 30, 1992 his work will always find a place in people's heart. The responsibility of taking care of it and protecting them lies with the future generation.