Thota Vaikuntam hails from the Southern state of India, Andhra Pradesh. Since childhood, he has been intrigued by the themes of impersonation and performativity, as he saw the male artists who used to impersonate female characters in the travelling theatre groups that performed in his village.
Thota Vaikuntam's paintings depict vibrant visuals of elaborately dressed Telangana men and women. He draws inspiration from his immediate surroundings, painting the people of his village with deep affection and familiarity, portraying their everyday life, attire, and traditions. He skillfully plays with subject matter drawn from his native culture, elevating ordinary rural scenes into powerful and enduring visual narratives.
