About Us

Realizing One's Artistic Dreams...

Our Story

It was during a group art show when the trio, Ms. Usha Rai, Ms. Kavita Prasanna and Ms. Shyamala Ramanand met in October 2012 and the concept of “Akanksha” was born. Hours of brainstorming resulted in our first ever art show organized in March 2014, at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru on Women’s Day. This show evolved into a mega exhibition featuring 50 women artists, showcasing over 250 works of art, lasting for three full days, attended by thousands or art enthusiasts!

The second edition of “Akanksha” in 2015, turned out bigger and better. It evolved from being just an art exhibit into an experience. A sum total of 500 works of art, in a multitude of genres, created by 67 women artists were exhibited. These artworks filled nearly all 5 galleries at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Appreciated by the vast audience of art enthusiasts and fellow artists, helped boost the confidence of the participant women artists. Likewise the third, fourth, fifth and the sixth edition of Akanksha saw many more artists taking part and becoming achievers in their own field. So far, we have supported over 500+ artists and helped them gain national and international experience.

Our Vision

“Akanksha” has a proven agenda of providing women artists, who are self-taught in art, a stable platform to display their works and talent. Not only are these artists achievers in their own fields of work, but they also carry the passion to learn and practice art. Akanksha aims to act as a common ground for like-minded artists to interact, collaborate and make friendships which last a lifetime.

Akanshka Art believes in giving equal opportunity to artists from all genre’s. We believe that every artwork is truly a self expression which we wish to respect and showcase here.

Our Founders

Usha Rai

A post graduate in Sociology and a banker by profession, Usha Rai is mainly recognized as a writer in Kannada. She has published 23 books – 7 novels, 3 essay collections, 3 collection of short stories, 5 collections of poems (2 in tulu language), 3 life histories, 1 travelogue and an autobiography. She has also edited 10 books and bagged many literary awards.

She got into art literally by accident. A road accident left her confined to a bed for six months. Art became therapy and helped her come out of this traumatic experience. Since 2005 she has been regularly participating in many forums, exhibitions and shows. She has won online competitons conducted by fineartamerica.com. Her collections include oil on canvas, watercolour, glass paintings, acrylic paintings and fabric painting. She loves to paint landscapes, seascapes, historical ruins, flowers and people.

You can check out her paintings and artwork at

https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/usha-rai/shop

Shyamala Ramanad

Art has played a curious and profound role in her growing up. Shyamala’s father served in the armed forces and hence, she got the opportunity to travel the length and breadth of the country. Be it arts, music, dance, sculptures and even old historical buildings, her childhood memories have created a lasting impression on her mind.

After working for 23 years in various corporate organizations, in 2006 she took a plunge into what was her ‘Heart Calling’. A subsequent short term course in art, set her going. She has held several shows across various platforms showcasing her creations. She has participated in The India Art Festival 2012, Chitrasanthe since 2007 and several other prestigious group shows.

Community work has always been very close to her heart. She has immense experience in curating many art shows for charity to generate funds to help differently-abled artists and poor cancer patients. The idea of turning Akanksha into an Online Art Gallery is her brainchild. With this she aims to take Akanksha to a global level.

We Support

Talent and will-power triumph all limitations. At Akanksha we support and promote differently-abled artists. We have also tied up with eminent teachers and artists to conduct art workshops to guide students in improving their art skills. All the proceeds of these workshops go towards a trust called Art Can Care (Art for Cancer Care) which helps in rehabilitation and the medical expenses of extremely poor cancer patients across India.

Purchase a painting through Akanksha and we will ensure that a part of the purchase will be donated to Art Can Care

Browse through our Gallery

Akanksha Online Art Gallery presents a complete array of artworks from all genre’s of art themes and mediums. They come in many vibrant and vivid hues, thoughts and visual expressions that you may take a liking too. Browse through our collection of artwork below.