“Age and family life are never a drawback for women. With grit and determination, any woman can shine in any field,” says Leela Ganapathy, a 80-year-old painter from Mugappair East who also happens to be an accomplished danseuse.
In conversation with News Today for Women’s Day, the retired History of Arts lecturer from the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai gives a glimpse of her works and opens to us about women’s independence and challenges faced in this male-dominated field.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: How did you get interested in art?
A: I started my career as a dancer. At the time, it was hard to find even school-going girls, let alone female artists. I had my arangetram right after Independence in 1947 at RR Sabha, Mylapore, dancing to the tune of Aaduvome Pallu Paaduvome. My first guru, Kalakshetra Rajagopal, who is also an artist, used to paint all our Kathakali dance costumes and it kindled my interest in paintings. I then joined Stella Maris College in 1953 with art as my core subject, where only two of us were girls. Here, all our lecturers supported us so well. In the early ’70s, I joined as a lecturer at the Government College of Fine Arts here, from where I became a full-fledged artist.
Q: Do you follow a theme in your paintings?
A: I have an interest in portraying powerful women in my paintings. As I faced many challenges in getting recognition for my works, I love portraying woman as a powerful beings. I do abstract paintings and then change them into realistic ones as well. Basically, whatever I see, I paint. It may be a tree, a well, a shelf, a woman or anything.
Q: What were the challenges you faced?
A: My first challenge was getting recognition. In that period, in an oppressive society, it was so hard to stand up as a woman, particularly in this field. But one thing is that I never give up. I traveled to almost all parts of the world and exhibited my works which is not an easy thing to do. The second challenge was handling my family. With three children, I initially struggled to balance my personal life and career but I succeeded thanks to my family and husband who backed me so well in those hard times.
Q: What do you want to say to women who struggle to get recognition?
A: Whatever society may say, keep going. At the end of the day, you are the one who is responsible for your life. If one has interest or talent for something, then it will drive them automatically. All one has to do is follow one’s dreams with grit. Personally, I believe women have that extra skill in multi-tasking. So, do not waste it. Stand for yourself.
Q: Are students opting for art courses nowadays? If so, what is the future?
A: Of course, there is a considerable rise in the number of students opting for arts, culture and paintings. Coming to the future, the world is full of art. Right from cinema art direction to costume designing, jewellery designing, gadget designing, animation and graphic designing – art is everywhere and artists are shining around the world.