Priyaa Renganathan: Artist, Instructor, and Quiet Advocate for Women's Economic Independence

This post recounts the journey of Council Member Priyaa Renganathan, an accomplished artist who has been teaching traditional Indian art forms for over two decades.

Hi, my name is Priyaa Renganathan. I was born and raised in Coimbatore, a city in Tamil Nadu. I grew up with a passion for fine arts and started learning Bharatanatyam early in my childhood. I also wrote short stories and poetry.

After my marriage to an IPS officer, I moved to Delhi, where we had Keerthika (meaning ‘famous’), our first child. Always giggling and playful, she never bothered me much, which gave me time to pursue my interests. I read novels and listened to music. Soon, my son Aneesh (meaning ‘supreme’)  was born, a naughty child with the most precious smile.

My children being my world, I dedicated myself to raising them. But once they became independent, I pursued my long-time dream of learning the art of Tanjore painting. As I had an interest in all forms of art, I continued to learn other traditional art forms like Kerala mural painting, Bengal pattachitra, Pichwai, Madhubani and Mysore painting. Alongside, I completed my postgraduation in English literature and completed a diploma in fine arts.

My journey of learning took me to various states, where my gurus taught me in the Parampara style.

In 2001 I had my first exhibition at the India habitat centre, inaugurated by Dr Kiran Bedi, IPS. Subsequently, I had exhibitions at Epicentre, Gurgaon; Pullman Hotel (now Le Meridian), Gurgaon; Shoppers Stop, New Delhi, the Art Floor, Gurgaon; and Delhi Tamil Sangam, New Delhi.

 In 2011, I held an exhibition, ‘Mystical Rapture’, at the Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre in New Delhi, inaugurated by Dr Janos Terenyi, then ambassador of Hungary. My experimentation with Egyptian, Roman and Greek Gods and Afro-American tribal art in Tanjore style received an overwhelming response, which was extremely encouraging.

Being an active member of the Delhi Police Family Welfare Society (PFWS), I had the opportunity to exhibit my paintings at various events organized by the PFWS. Some paintings were gifted to Smt Gursharan Kaur, wife of the then prime minister of India, Sri Manmohan Singh, who was the chief guest at some of the exhibitions.

Collections made from the sale of paintings were donated to PFWS for the betterment of children and spouses of constables and head constables. I was also instrumental in sourcing a candle-making machine, sewing machine, and agarbatti-making machine for PFWS Malviya Nagar.

After shifting to Gurgaon, I associated myself with Gramin Mahila, an NGO that skill-trains girls and women in Jharsa village, where I had the opportunity to train girls and women above age 15.

After I had been in the field of art for two decades, my teaching journey started in 2006. I started to train homemakers and young girls offline and online, in group or individual classes. Today, I feel fortunate to have students all over India and overseas, breaking geographical and language barriers. I am happy to play a small part in helping people learn an art form, some of whom have gone on to earn a substantial income as artists.

Kerala Mural Painting

Priyaa Renganathan

Last year, in 2022, I set up the Priyaa Institute of Traditional Arts with the aim to promote Indian art forms and to skill women and girl children from all walks of life so they can empower themselves and stand on their own feet.

That’s all about me. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. You can get in touch with me on Facebook or by email at priyaindia66@gmail.com.