Hyderabad’s Colourful skyline continues to inspire me: Om Soorya

It’s a homecoming that evoked piercing nostalgia for Kannur-based artist Om Soorya. Bringing his work back to the city where he honed his trade for more than a decade, Om who’s in town with his exhibition, The Luminous Twilights says it’s a “special feeling”. “My first show was in Hyderabad when I was still pursuing Masters at the University of Hyderabad (UoH).I used to stay in a penthouse back then in Gachibowli,” he shares as he settles down for a chat in the gallery where his work was on display. “A lot of my themes and panoramic views are influenced by Hyderabad’s skyline and its tapestry of colours,” says this nationally-acclaimed artist pointing to his paintings.
Om’s association with Hyderabad doesn’t end on his canvas. His memories of the city also influenced him as a person. “Life in UoH was so different from what I had experienced in Kerala. There was freedom, and although it has its pros and cons, the atmosphere had a way of bringing out everyone's true character and abilities without any pretence. Hyderabadi people are a lot more open and friendly,” says Om, who is currently working as faculty in NIFT, Kannur.
Reminiscing about the good old days, he says, “We had some good times back then — biryani at our adda was an everyday thing. But now the city is a lot different from what it used to be.” And just like the city, he believes his art has also evolved; especially in terms of craft and detail. “Light is a very integral part of my work. It is like a reflection of my inner self and has spiritual connotations. It is evident even in my current show — I feature the varying hues of twilight over panoramic settings of small temples, pagodas and stupas illuminated with small lights,” says Om, who also dabbles in short stories and drama.
Having showcased his work in premiere galleries like The Guild, New York and Galleria Dell’Arco in Palermo and Shanghai, Om cites German artists George Kieffer and Joseph Beuys as his major influences. But he also draws inspiration from Kalamezhuthu, a traditional artform from Kerala.
Although he picks artistic themes that interest him on a personal level, striking a balance between satisfying himself while satisfying the audience is important. “Art is meant to inspire people; it should be perceived. We are not lone beings; we are social beings. People who say that an artist’s true identity is being watered down by making art for the audience need to know that there is a certain amount of duplicity in every human being,” he says as he parts.