Profile of B. A. Reddy
Born in the family of peasants in 1940 at Pamarru,
Krishna District. Obtained Diploma in Fine Arts from Government of A.P. and
graduated in English literature from Agra University. Worked as an Art Teacher
from 1958 to 2000 in State and Central Government School.
Experimented
in Painting and Printmaking. Received Awards from Kalidas Samaroh,
Ujjaini, Dasara Exhibition, Mysore, GDDM Association Berhampur, Chitrakala
Parishad, Bangalore, Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar, Nashik Kala Niketan,
Mahakoshal Kala Parishad, Raipur, Hyderabad Art Society, A.P. council of
Artists; Bharat Kala Parishath, Andhra Pradesh Lalitkala Academy and from most
of the Art Organisations of A.P. Stopped participation in competitive
exhibitions in 1985.
Received
the Soviet land Nehru Award in 1984 along with Pandit Briju Maharaj and
Ustad Bismalla Khan. Honoured with the National Award for Teachers, the C.C.R.T
National Award for Teachers, the Balabandhu Title from A.P. Balala Academy,
Pratibha Purashkar of the Telugu University, Varada Venkataratnam Memorial Award
of the Rajahmundry Chitrakala Niketan, Andhrasri Award from Alluri Sitaramaraju
Yuvajana Samithi, Rajahmundry and Sanskarp. Bharathi Puraskar of A.P. Chapter.
He
is the second Indian to receive the Coveted Sunny Medal ORDER OF SMILE from
Poland first being Shri Shankar Pillai. The USSR Artists council, the world Art,
Siovania, Children’s centers of Celji, Hungary, Macidonia, Finland &
Skopje presented their Diplomas of Honour to him. The Ex-Libris, Slovakia
honoured him with "Teacher of Great Success" Award.
Completed
an illustrated research thesis on Folk Art in A.P. with the Senior
Fellowship given by the Department of Culture, Government of India, and the
Telugu University published a monograph on his art
He
had his solo exhibitions eight times at Hyderabad and one at the AIFACS
Galleries, New Delhi. His works are seen in the important museums in India and a
few abroad.
He
is the founder of "Young envoys International" a child art
trust & "Sanskriti" Rural Art Center for children at Hyderguda
Village, R.R.Dist. He is the editor of the quarterly magazine ART DRIVE
and published 49 volumes of the same. He organized scores of art exhibitions creating
activities for more than 25 lakhs
of children and youth and awarded them with thousands of prizes.
In
his guidance 16 students won the Soviet land Nehru Awards and visited U.S.S.R as Indian delegates. 20 children received the
National Talent Search Scholarships in painting given by the CCRT, New Delhi.
His students received Hundreds of International Awards including Grand Prix
Awards from Macidonia & Russia, Golden Palettes from Bitola, "Golden
Horse" from the World of Art, Slovenia, Black Cat Awards from Torun,
Poland, The Rose of Lidice Medals from Czech Republic, Gold Plaques from Japan,
Gold Medals from Korea, Skopjee, Bulgaria latvia, Philippines, Portugal, Islamic
Republic of Iran, Egypt, Silver leaf Awards from Berlin and so on.
He
took BAPU DARSHAN, the mobile exhibition of child art, reflecting the
life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, to 42 places in Andhra Pradesh and to
Lalitkala Academy, New Delhi. His services in different capacities were taken by
most of the art organisations of Andhra Pradesh. At present he is engaged in
providing art education to rural children.