While in Shantiniketan, Uday Raj says, he realised that art wasn't restricted to one medium and hence you see him dabbling in more than one. 'Man Made', an exhibition of some of his works, will open at Alliance Francaise, Vasanthnagar, later this month. The Bengaluru-based illustrator talks to Chetana Divya Vasudev about his artistic pursuits and their beginnings.
Tell us how your journey with art began.
I hail from Kolar. My mother says she went to Mysuru when she was expecting me and saw Raja Ravi Varma's paintings. Then, she felt she wanted her son also to become an artist of such talent.
I hail from Kolar. My mother says she went to Mysuru when she was expecting me and saw Raja Ravi Varma's paintings. Then, she felt she wanted her son also to become an artist of such talent.
So took to art soon after you were born?
Not really. Back in KGF, one day, there was no power. It had just rained and Iwas outside playing with mud, sculpting it. My mother came out and said I'd be an artist. That was the first time Iheard the word.
Not really. Back in KGF, one day, there was no power. It had just rained and Iwas outside playing with mud, sculpting it. My mother came out and said I'd be an artist. That was the first time Iheard the word.
Where did you study art?
After I finished class 10, I thought I had scored well, why not pursue science. But my teachers advised me against it — they told me I had talent others didn't so I should nurture it. I enrolled in Ken School of Art. This is where I met my teacher, Umesh, who has been a huge inspiration. Later, I managed to go to Shantiniketan, where Ilearnt print making. That's where my stint with photography also began.
After I finished class 10, I thought I had scored well, why not pursue science. But my teachers advised me against it — they told me I had talent others didn't so I should nurture it. I enrolled in Ken School of Art. This is where I met my teacher, Umesh, who has been a huge inspiration. Later, I managed to go to Shantiniketan, where Ilearnt print making. That's where my stint with photography also began.
What kind of photography do you do?
I try to tell a story through my photos, so usually, a quote accompanies it. Inormally use a model to and spin a narrative around. In Shantiniketan, I had bought sweet potatoes to cook. One of them had started sprouting, and Iimmediately thought Icould use it to tell a story. Then it struck me that we are so selfish, and we nurture something only when we see that there's something in it for us.
I try to tell a story through my photos, so usually, a quote accompanies it. Inormally use a model to and spin a narrative around. In Shantiniketan, I had bought sweet potatoes to cook. One of them had started sprouting, and Iimmediately thought Icould use it to tell a story. Then it struck me that we are so selfish, and we nurture something only when we see that there's something in it for us.
So that's what the narrative was about. For another set of photos, I've used a tribal as a model. I applied 'multani mitti' on his face, did some carving and clicked a picture of it.
Any other artforms you are into?
I've learnt Carnatic music and play the veena. I often jam with a group of friends. I also occasionally do theatre and puppetry as well. I teach illustration at JD School of Fashion Technology and also freelance, doing storyboards for films.
I've learnt Carnatic music and play the veena. I often jam with a group of friends. I also occasionally do theatre and puppetry as well. I teach illustration at JD School of Fashion Technology and also freelance, doing storyboards for films.
'Man Made' is an intriguing title...
I've used print making to emboss images of objects we use in our everyday life — a comb, utensils and the like. It's my way of saying that these things have become such a part of our lives that they dominate our existence.
While in Shantiniketan, Uday Raj says, he realised that art wasn’t restricted to one medium and hence you see him dabbling in more than one. 'Man Made’, an exhibition of some of his works, will open at Alliance Francaise, Vasanthnagar, later this month. The Bengaluru-based illustrator talks to Chetana Divya Vasudev about his artistic pursuits and their beginnings.
Tell us how your journey with art began.
I hail from Kolar. My mother says she went to Mysuru when she was expecting me and saw Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings. Then, she felt she wanted her son also to become an artist of such talent.
I hail from Kolar. My mother says she went to Mysuru when she was expecting me and saw Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings. Then, she felt she wanted her son also to become an artist of such talent.
So took to art soon after you were born?
Not really. Back in KGF, one day, there was no power. It had just rained and I was outside playing with mud, sculpting it. My mother came out and said I’d be an artist. That was the first time I heard the word.
Not really. Back in KGF, one day, there was no power. It had just rained and I was outside playing with mud, sculpting it. My mother came out and said I’d be an artist. That was the first time I heard the word.
Where did you study art?
After I finished class 10, I thought I had scored well, why not pursue science. But my teachers advised me against it — they told me I had talent others didn’t so I should nurture it. I enrolled in Ken School of Art. This is where I met my teacher, Umesh, who has been a huge inspiration. Later, I managed to go to Shantiniketan, where I learnt print making. That’s where my stint with photography also began.
After I finished class 10, I thought I had scored well, why not pursue science. But my teachers advised me against it — they told me I had talent others didn’t so I should nurture it. I enrolled in Ken School of Art. This is where I met my teacher, Umesh, who has been a huge inspiration. Later, I managed to go to Shantiniketan, where I learnt print making. That’s where my stint with photography also began.
What kind of photography do you do?
I try to tell a story through my photos, so usually, a quote accompanies it. I normally use a model to and spin a narrative around. In Shantiniketan, I had bought sweet potatoes to cook. One of them had started sprouting, and I immediately thought I could use it to tell a story. Then it struck me that we are so selfish, and we nurture something only when we see that there’s something in it for us.
I try to tell a story through my photos, so usually, a quote accompanies it. I normally use a model to and spin a narrative around. In Shantiniketan, I had bought sweet potatoes to cook. One of them had started sprouting, and I immediately thought I could use it to tell a story. Then it struck me that we are so selfish, and we nurture something only when we see that there’s something in it for us.
So that’s what the narrative was about. For another set of photos, I’ve used a tribal as a model. I applied 'multani mitti’ on his face, did some carving and clicked a picture of it.
Any other artforms you are into?
I’ve learnt Carnatic music and play the veena. I often jam with a group of friends. I also occasionally do theatre and puppetry as well. I teach illustration at JD School of Fashion Technology and also freelance, doing storyboards for films.
I’ve learnt Carnatic music and play the veena. I often jam with a group of friends. I also occasionally do theatre and puppetry as well. I teach illustration at JD School of Fashion Technology and also freelance, doing storyboards for films.
'Man Made’ is an intriguing title...
I’ve used print making to emboss images of objects we use in our everyday life — a comb, utensils and the like. It’s my way of saying that these things have become such a part of our lives that they dominate our existence.