Ramani Mylavarapu Opens ‘Roots to Rivers’ at Bikaner House, Highlights Water Pollution Through Art

The exhibition offers a retrospective of her eight-year journey of socially engaged and feminist photo-performance art, featuring projects such as Voices of Waves with the Uppada fishing community, Invisible Roots with the Araku tribes, Panchkanyas, and Mona Lisa with Mask. The show culminates with her latest works from Assam’s Manas region, exploring themes of resilience, memory, and ecological awareness.

The event opened with Mylavarapu’s live performance Plunge, drawing attention to the urgent crisis of water pollution. In the performance, she portrayed a pilgrim carrying a symbolic bundle (Muta) and enacted a ritual at a symbolic river. Participants dropped waste into the river, eventually suffocating her—symbolizing India’s choking rivers. By cleansing herself of the waste, she reclaimed the role of guardian of the river, emphasizing the collective responsibility of citizens, industries, and institutions in protecting water.

Guests of Honour included prominent figures from the Indian art world, including Sanjay Roy and Niren Sengupta.

Sanjay Roy, curator and mentor at Triveni Kala Sangam, commented, “Ramani’s work has a rare ability to link personal expression with societal concerns. In her performances, you don’t just witness art—you feel the reflection of society’s challenges.”

Niren Sengupta, eminent painter and former Principal of the College of Art, New Delhi, added, “Her art carries a spiritual depth that resonates with the human condition. In Plunge, we experience both pain and hope, reminding us that art is not only about beauty but also about responsibility.”

Speaking about the performance, Ramani Mylavarapu said, “Plunge is my way of voicing what our rivers endure every day. The suffocation I experienced during the performance is nothing compared to what our rivers face. Through my art, I hope to remind people that protecting water is not optional—it is a duty.”

The exhibition will run from 19 to 23 September 2025, open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Kalamkaar, Bikaner House, New Delhi.