Minister Durgesh inaugurates national travelling painting expo centred on Yogini tradition

Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh inaugurated a national travelling painting exhibition, titled ‘Ekaa: The One – The 64 Yogini Trail’ by artist Beena Unnikrishnan, in Vijayawada on Tuesday (March 31).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kandula Durgesh thanked Ms. Beena Unnikrishnan for bringing her art forms, which reinterprets India’s ancient spiritual traditions through contemporary lens, to Andhra Pradesh. He said these would help people build a better society and become a better citizen.

Rooted in the philosophy of Shakti—the primordial feminine energy—the works explore themes of feminine power, balance, consciousness and transformation, the Minister said.

Later, Ms. Beena Unnikrishnan said the artwork is not a reproduction of temple imagery or an academic reconstruction, but a contemporary artistic interpretation that places the Yogini tradition within today’s cultural and social discourse.

She said the exhibition was developed over a period of five years, reflecting an intensive artistic and research-driven engagement with the Yogini tradition. Conceived as a non-commercial public initiative, the exhibition is open to all and none of the artworks are available for sale, according to a press release from the Department of Tourism and Culture.

The exhibition is part of a national journey spanning 16 States over 81 days, covering more than 10,000 kilometres. The journey began earlier this year in Kochi and has travelled across multiple cities before arriving in Vijayawada.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors will also have the opportunity to engage with the documentary Y64: Whispers of the Unseen, which traces the journey of India’s Yogini temples and their cultural relevance today.

Andhra Pradesh State Creativity and Culture Commission Chairperson Tejaswi Podapati was also present at the inauguration. The artwork is being exhibited from March 31 to April 2 at Makineni Basavapunnaiah Vignana Kendram in the city.