Sudha Pillai- Painter
Her paintings speak volumes about the talent and skill she possesses. A self-taught painter who has successfully struck a balance between her profession and passion, Sudha Pillai, IAS (KL: 72), Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment creates magic each time she wields a brush.
Sudha is known for her abstract paintings, which convey her subconscious thinking and emotions. She also makes landscapes but with a touch of her interpretations of the world.
"I have been drawing and painting for as long as I remember. During summer vacations my sister and I used to paint for hours. I learnt painting in school. Other than that I have had no formal training," says Pillai.
After completing her studies, Sudha was in a dilemma as she had to make a choice between further studies or art for a career. Though art was her first love yet she gave civil services an attempt and stood second on an all India basis. However, she kept her passion for painting alive with the support of her family.
Sudha has managed to balance her work and home life after marriage very well. She had her first solo exhibition when her youngest child was in college. She feels that the three most important aspects of her life, work, home and painting are not mutually contradictory. It is important that time should be managed well and also commitments to family and work should be respected.
After a gruelling week of work, indulging in painting gives her a sense of upliftment and helps her release tension and counter stress. "I paint during weekends and holidays. Painting gives me a lot of joy and positive energy. It helps me feel calm and focussed and actually helps me in my professional life. Conversely, the rich experience one gains at work helps in broadening one's understanding," says Pillai.
Sangeeta Gupta- Poet, Painter
 She is among those multi- talented people who can translate their inner feelings into artistic medium with panache. A bureaucrat, painter and poetess, Sangeeta Gupta (IRS: 1984), a Delhi-based Commissioner of Income Tax has made a mark for herself as an eminent Indian artist.
She has always been good at academics and it was her father's dream to see her as an IAS officer. "I have been surrounded by books during my childhood because of my parents' literary interests. So it was natural to adapt reading and develop an inclination towards literature. A dormant passion for art was always there in me which later on I took up actively," says Gupta.
Gupta started her tryst with painting with landscapes but now has evolved into an abstract artist. She has several solo shows to her credit in India and abroad. She is also "the second Indian painter" whose works were exhibited in the National College of Arts in Lahore after a gap of 20 years. She has also penned her thoughts on paper in her first book, which was published in 1988 and has also written a collection of short stories in Hindi.
 "Gradually, I had developed interest in abstract paintings and I took formal training in Kolkata after marriage. Through my writing, I have tried to portray the plight of women in our country which has been well received by the people. Today, I feel overwhelmed to be recognized as an abstract artist and a writer who supports women's rights," says Gupta.
Some of her important books include Pratinaad, Samudr Se Lautati Nadi; Iss Par Uss Par, Antas Se and Nagfani Ke Jungle. Her books have also been published in four different languages - Hindi, English, German and Bangla. Many of her books contain paintings.
Gupta has received 69th annual award for drawing in 1998 and 77th annual award for painting in 2005 by AIFACS, New Delhi and was also conferred Hindprabha award for Indian Women Achievers by Uttar Pradesh Mahila Manch in 1999. She has been trained by a senior artist in Kolkata.
Kiran Soni Gupta - Painter
As a child when she decided to meddle with her sister's paint brush and colours in an act of mischief, little did she know that years later art will become a vital part of her life. Kiran Soni Gupta, IAS (Rajasthan: 85), Divisional Commissioner, Jaipur is a globally celebrated painter.
Despite not being formally trained, Kiran has carved a position for herself as a distinguished artist. "I remember when I was small, my elder sister had gone to the market leaving her painting kit behind. Out of temptation, I picked up her brush and made a portrait of a bride. Though angry that I have made a mess with her colours, my sister appreciated what I had created as painting a portrait is most difficult," says Gupta.
Kiran likes to paint on issues relating to women, children, poverty, development and environment. She uses her sense of observation to draw inspiration from the life around her. Being posted in Rajasthan, most of her present work depicts the rich culture and heritage of the place.
 Painting has been her childhood interest but in order to pursue her academics, she had parted with it for many years. "I was in Kerela in 1987 where I had three long holidays and in order to get over solitude, I decided to paint and it gave me a very refreshing feeling. It was almost after eight years that I touched the brush and since then there has been no looking back," says Gupta.
In 2002, Kiran had put up her first exhibition, which had drawn tremendous response from the art lovers. In fact after that she was called by All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society for an exhibition in Delhi. Since then she has put up exhibitions in Sri Lanka, London and Ottawa.
"When we were getting shifted to Bikaner, my husband suggested that I should put up an exhibition of my paintings. I was reluctant as I have always been possessive about my work. However, on our anniversary my husband surprised me by booking the Taj hotels' hall for exhibition. I took it up as a challenge and went ahead instinctively. I have learned the joy of sharing art through these exhibitions and nothing else gives me more pleasure than sharing my work with people," says Gupta.
To live a life of a bureaucrat is no doubt very demanding, but for Kiran her work has helped her in pursuing the passion rather than acting as a deterrent. She has drawn inspiration from her work on the field by interacting with various people and that has helped her derive themes for her paintings.
She feels that art and work have been both complementing and supplementing each other. Art has also helped her to look at things in a different way; the power of observation and empathy has developed within her, which helps her in her administrative responsibilities.
|
Steering the ship ahead - S Hajara 