From Necessity to Passion: Sravani Ramachandran's Artistic Journey
For Sravani Ramachandran, art did not begin as a passion—it began as a necessity. Confined to a wheelchair after a life-altering accident 15 years ago, the Infosys employee turned to sketching just to fill two difficult hours each day. Years later, those quiet moments have grown into a platform that uplifts dozens of artists across India.
Building Pragathi: A Non-Profit for Inclusive Art
Sravani, 40, has been instrumental in building Pragathi, a Bengaluru-based non-profit focused on promoting artworks created by persons with disabilities. The initiative seeks to celebrate creativity, promote financial independence for artists, and build greater awareness about inclusion through art.
Born and raised in Bengaluru, Sravani comes from a typical middle-class family that valued education and independence. Armed with a BCom degree and an MBA, she was on the verge of launching a stable corporate career when the accident struck, leaving her with spinal cord injuries.
Overcoming Adversity Through Art
Multiple surgeries and a rare infection made recovery a long and painful ordeal. Even sitting upright for a few hours was initially impossible. But it was during this phase that art quietly entered her life.
"I started sketching just to distract myself from the pain," she says. "I could sit for two hours in a wheelchair every day, and I wanted to make that time count, instead of just watching TV."
What began as a coping mechanism soon became a passion. From simple sketches, Sravani moved on to experimenting with oil pastels, stippling, and other media. Over time, her work evolved—not just in technique, but in meaning. "Art brought some colour back into my life," she says.
Inspiring a Community of Artists
Her journey took a decisive turn when she began showcasing her work at Bengaluru's well-known art exhibition, Chitra Santhe. There, she encountered artists with disabilities—individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and hearing impairments—who, like her, were using art as a powerful form of expression.
What struck her deeply was the lack of platforms available to such artists. "I was overwhelmed by the talent of the artists. There is a blind artist. How can you paint when you cannot even see colours? There are others who paint with their toes. I met incredible talent, but there were very few opportunities for them to showcase their work," she explains.
Expanding Reach and Impact
Determined to change that, Sravani, along with her sister and friends, started Pragathi, an initiative aimed at creating a space for artists with disabilities. This eventually evolved into Art from the Heart, an annual exhibition that celebrates inclusive art. Additionally, Pragathi has begun collaborating with public venues such as shopping malls and cultural spaces to help artists reach broader audiences. Alongside her work in the corporate sector, Sravani continues to create art, often dedicating weekends to long hours of painting.
Her themes change every year, ranging from doors and windows to flowers, animals, and, most recently, landscapes. The latest theme reflects a deeper, more personal journey. "Landscapes, for me, represent peace and serenity," she says. "It's something I was seeking over the past year."
Commercial Success and Community Building
Her art has also found commercial success. Through calendars featuring her themed artwork, she has built a steady audience, with the windows and door series selling nearly 1,000 copies. But beyond numbers, it is the impact that matters most.
Through Art from the Heart, Sravani has not only rediscovered herself but has also created a community—one that celebrates resilience, creativity, and inclusion. "Despite challenges, you can still do something meaningful. This is my way of giving back," she says.
Upcoming Art Exhibition Details
Pragathi will organise the two-day Art from the Heart exhibition at Devaraj Urs Gallery at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath from April 4. This will be the fourth exhibition by Pragathi, and will showcase work from 40 artists. Visitors will be able to interact directly with the artists and purchase their works, thereby supporting their livelihoods and encouraging artistic expression.
