Artist documents Andhra’s artistic legacy in handbook

An artist at heart and a lifelong devotee of creativity, Yellapu Kalasagar (Sagar Babu) finds expression in every form of art, whether it be drawing, painting, sculpting, graphics, or illustration. He has spent years exploring the many dimensions of artistic expression, constantly striving to celebrate and preserve its essence.

This deep-rooted love for art culminated in an ambitious and heartfelt endeavour Art of Andhra Pradesh, a handbook that brings together the works of 300 artists, capturing the diversity, tradition, and evolving spirit of art from the region. “One should not see this as a mere compilation, it is my tribute to the vibrant artistic community and the world of art,” he told The Hindu.

Sagar Babu adopted the name Kalasagar in 1987 after completing his Intermediate education and while pursuing a diploma in Fine Arts. “I was fascinated by the artworks of my drawing teacher during my school days. My love for art only grew stronger over the years,” he recalled. However, when he sought to research the works of renowned artists like Damarla Rama Rao, Adavi Bapiraju, Bapu, and Vaddadi Papaiah, he found limited access to information, which left him frustrated.

Determined to bridge this gap, he set out to bring together the artworks of Andhra Pradesh in one place. Over five years, he travelled extensively across the State and to places in Chennai, Bangalore, and Baroda and even ventured into remote rural regions to meet folk artists. He compiled the profiles of 300 artists, including 270 contemporary artists and 30 who are no longer living, while also creating a personal directory of their contact details.

“The moment I saw the book in its complete form, it was overwhelming,” he said. The book was formally released in June 2025 by Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh. His attempts to secure government support for publishing did not materialise and eventually, with the support of fellow artists and art lovers, the book was brought to life. The editorial team comprising B. Jaganmohan Rao, V. Satyanarayana, K. Mrutyunjaya Rao and L.R. Venkata Ramana played a crucial role in shaping the project.

“Selecting profiles was a challenge as we received works from artists in every nook and corner of the State,” he said, adding that the book also featured a 95-year-old artist, M. Krishnamurthy, from Nellore district.

Art of Andhra Pradesh is currently available at Navodaya Book House in Hyderabad. “Though the original price is ₹2,000, we are offering concessions to ensure that these works reach a wider audience,” said Mr. Kalasagar.