Dublin, (California): The Telangana Development Forum (TDF), under its cultural wing Kalanidhi, is actively promoting Batik painting, a traditional hand art form, with the aim of preserving Telangana’s rich cultural heritage and passing it on to future generations.
As part of this initiative, a special Batik hand art exhibition was organized by TDF-USA in Dublin, California. The event was inaugurated by TDF-USA President Srinivas Manikonda and TDF-India President Matt Rajeswar Reddy. Artist Raju Yasala explained the intricacies of Batik hand art to TDF members and several NRIs who attended. TDF representatives expressed happiness that Telangana traditions such as Bathukamma and local folk art were beautifully depicted in these Batik paintings. TDF-USA also announced plans to enable geo-tagging for Batik art to promote its global recognition.
TDF-India felicitated Batik artists Yasala Prakash and Mamatha, acknowledging their contribution to sustaining this heritage art form, and announced plans to conduct special training camps for youth to learn Batik painting.
Batik art holds a unique place in Telangana’s cultural history. Originating in Indonesia nearly 2,000 years ago, it was first introduced to India by Nandalal Bose’s daughter at Shantiniketan in Kolkata. In 1966, Jagadish Mittal and Kamala Mittal introduced the art to the Telangana region.
Later, artists such as Lakshmagoud, Suryaprakash, Gaurishankar, Kapu Rajayya, and Balayya refined and popularized it. Among them, Yasala Balayya developed his own distinctive style, dedicating over 35 years to spreading Batik painting across the region. His son Yasala Prakash now continues this legacy, inspiring future generations.
Under the Telangana Department of Culture, Batik art exhibitions have received appreciation from former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, while current Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented a Batik painting to Gautam Adani at the London Davos Business Summit.
In Siddipet, Siddipet Batik Society, led by Mamatha Yasala, trains young art enthusiasts in Batik techniques. To further expand the reach of this art, the website saibatiks.com was launched on Vijayadashami 2025.
Currently, Yasala Prakash works as an art teacher at a Telangana Tribal Gurukulam School, where he teaches tribal students both fine arts and Batik painting, ensuring this timeless tradition continues to thrive.
