Alchemist from Andhra

Alchemist from Andhra

November 2022

THE ALCHEMIST  FROM ANDHRA 

By Jamuna Rangachari

We often deplore the waste around us,  but some like Srinivas Padakandla  of Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, not  just recycles it but creates beauty out of it.  Srinivas is a fine arts teacher in the College of  Architecture and Planning, Acharya Nagarjuna  University, Andhra Pradesh, and aptly calls  himself an ‘eco-friendly junk artist.’  

Srinivas turns scrap from automobiles into  unique sculptures, which are wonderful to look  at. To make these sculptures, his team of around  15 to 20 volunteers recycles e-waste by buying  scrap from industrial areas and local mechanic  shops. This may defy our imagination, but  Srinivas has indeed mastered this rare art. 

Srinivas got inspiration from the experimental  work carried out by Texas-born artist Richard  Rauschenberg, whose artworks made from  scrap metal and broken-up machinery in the  1950s were deeply studied by British art critic  Lawrence Alloway, who coined the term ‘Junk  Art’ in 1961. 

Fortunately, considerable encouragement was  given to Srinivas by the Nagarjuna University  authorities, where he works as a coordinator in  the Department of Fine Arts. This helped him  get support from Recycling Metal Art (RMA)  from the municipal corporations of different  states and the Industrial Training institute of  Tamil Nadu.  

It is possible to create beautiful art out of scraps too

However, Srinivas did face the issues of  nonavailability of suitable raw material in  local areas, scarcity of skilled labour, the  unwillingness of available skilled workers  to go to other states, coordination problems,  unfriendly weather conditions in other states,  and so on. But he did not give up, and now,  he has got national recognition through  Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s favourite  Mann ki Baat programme. He has also  received recognition and encouragement for  the promotion of metal sculpture in Andhra  Pradesh by the chief minister, YS Jagan  Mohan Reddy, as well as state-level awards and  certificates from higher officials.  

Srinivas now has sufficient land from the state  government for the construction of a global  training institute in the recycling of materials  other than metal, for a wider promotion of this  rare art.  

Knowing his verve, I am sure he will promote  this art form to all. Kudos Prof Srinivas. May  we see more like you.