Osian's Auction Catalogue The Osianama Series |February 2013

97 1952 “The art of K. Sreenivasulu is forthrightly traditional; it springs from a deep-rooted affinity with folk culture, in an affirmation of his craftsman-heritage. He is indebted for his idiom to the frescoes of Lepakshi and Tanjore, of the evening of the South Indian tradition; he is captivated by their ingenous colour sequences, moulded by sinuous lines… His paintings are resonant statements of contrasted colour, organizations of an infective joyousness.” – P.R. Ramachandra Rao in Contemporary Indian Art . 1969. p22.) “My delineation of the human figure is deliberately exaggerated and idealistic, but, please note, not at all contrived or copied. It comes out of my own free choice, because I feel my conscience and temperament are comfortable with it. The treatment of the female figure is idealised, stretched almost to the point of being a mere replica of what we see in our ancient and medieval murals, sort of rigidly traditional. So what? What’s wrong with tradition? I don’t care for critics. They must say something clever and no one is stopping them. I go on with what I think is right and what is closest to my heart and soul and there ends the matter.” – K. Sreenivasulu as told to S.A. Krishnan, rpt. by A.S. Raman in The Southern Accent 2001 , p194.) 47 K. Sreenivasulu 6 April 1923 – 17 June 1995 Village Cart Mixed media on paper pasted on board, 1952 S/d in English ‘K. Sreenivasulu --- 1952’ c.l. 17.9 x 29.5 in (45.5 x 75.0 cm) Condition Insect holes present at some places Provenance Private New Delhi-based Collection; acquired from the Artist’s Family Collection ` 300,000 – 600,000 US$ 5,460 – 10,920 GBP 3,750 – 7,500