About Madhuvanthi Ja S

I am a printmaker inspired by the grandeur of Dravidian temple architecture, which has fascinated me since childhood. Through woodcut printmaking, I reinterpret sacred spaces by exploring the interplay of light, shadow, and sculptural form. Using lines and dots as expressive elements, I capture the rhythm, depth, and atmosphere of temple interiors. My work celebrates ancestral craftsmanship while exploring the timeless visual poetry and possibilities of woodcut.

  • 2026: Jury Award, 21st National Exhibition and Competition, Sri Dharshini Kalaikoodam, Lalit Kala Akademi (29 March – 4 April 2026)
  • 2025: Finalist, Graphic category, Bombay Art Society's 133rd All India Annual Art Exhibition, Jehangir Art Gallery (11–17 March 2025)
  • 2025: First Place, Oviya Sirpakkalai Kankattchi, Regional and Cultural Centre of Orikkai, Directorate of Art and Culture, Tamil Nadu
  • 2024: Best Presentation Award, Realism Art Category, Sri Dharshini Kalai Koodham, 20th Year National Art Competition and Exhibition
  • 2024: Winner, Drawing and Painting Competition, 120th Birth Anniversary of Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, Kalakshetra Foundation, Remembering Rukmini Devi Festival
  • 2024: Two-day workshop at Dakshina Chitra teaching Ganesha iconography and terracotta sculpture-making to 50 international participants
  • 2024: Illustrator for The Hollow Tree, Bombay Shola, Coonoor and Co, published 15 August 2024 (words by Sohail Rekhy)
  • 2023: Royal Merit Award, 19th Annual Indian Royal Academy National Award, Kalaburagi (Gulbarga), Karnataka
  • 2023: 21st Rank among 500 artists, Hashtag Kalakar Art and Painting Online Contest
  • 2026: Marabin Nizhal Exhibition
  • 2026: 21st National Exhibition and Competition, Sri Dharshini Kalaikoodam, Lalit Kala Akademi (29 March – 4 April 2026)
  • 2025: The Bombay Art Society's 133rd All India Annual Art Exhibition, Jehangir Art Gallery (11–17 March 2025)
  • 2025: Life and Light Group Show, Lakshana Art Gallery (18–25 April 2025)
  • 2024: 20th Annual Indian Art Royal Academy National Award
  • 2024: 20th Year National Art Competition and Exhibition, Sri Dharshini Kalai Koodham & Kasthuri Sreenivasa Trust, Coimbatore (21–31 Aug 2024)
  • 2024: Folk Dance Festival & Painting Exhibition-cum-Sale, South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur, in collaboration with Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai (20–22 Aug 2024)
  • Art Style: Traditional
  • Art Form: Indian Classical
  • Artist Category: Spark Artists (Emerging Artists)
  • Institution: Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai
  • Location: Vellore, Tamil Nadu, IN

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Aanaika Mandapam

25,000

This woodcut captures the serene grandeur of the Aanaika Mandapam at Thiruvanaikaval. The rhythmic sequence of intricately carved pillars and the interplay of light and shadow create depth, stillness, and visual harmony. As the eye travels through the tranquil corridor, the architecture unfolds into a contemplative space. Through expressive woodcut lines, I seek to evoke the timeless spirituality, silence, and architectural magnificence of this sacred setting.

Koothu

12,999

A vividly glazed stoneware sculpture capturing the theatrical grandeur of Koothu, Tamil Nadu’s folk theater tradition. Ornate headgear, layered shoulder guards, and richly patterned attire reflect the elaborate costuming central to this performance art, rendered in bold corals, blues, and golds. The sculpted textures and vibrant glazework echo the drama and intensity of the storytelling form, paying homage to a centuries-old tradition of myth, movement, and community celebration. 

Nayanmars Lost in the Devotion

17,000

Nayanmars explores the enduring spiritual presence of the revered Shaivite saints, whose devotion the artwork carves into stone and brings to life through light. Using the expressive language of woodcut, the artwork captures their solemn forms through rhythmic lines, contrasts, and shadows. The interplay of carved surfaces and illumination creates a meditative atmosphere, transforming their silent presence into a visual expression of faith, reverence, and timeless devotion.

Oli surabi

25,000

Oli Surabi explores the quiet radiance created when light transforms stone into a living experience. This woodcut print presents an uncommon rear view of a temple prakaram, highlighting its distinctive architectural rhythm and composition. Through expressive lines, the artwork captures the interplay of light and shadow across carved surfaces, creating depth and texture. Rather than simply documenting architecture, the work evokes the sacred space’s timeless beauty, stillness, and spiritual atmosphere.

Peruvudai vazhi

20,000

Peruvudaiyaar Vazhi presents the grandeur of Dravidian temple architecture through an unconventional perspective. Towering Dwarapalakas stand as silent guardians, guiding the viewer toward the sacred space with their commanding presence. Through bold woodcut lines, the artwork emphasizes architectural scale, rhythm, light, and shadow. The ambiguous setting evokes both Brihadeeswarar Temple and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, celebrating the enduring beauty and sculptural brilliance of Chola architectural heritage.

Poikalkudhirai

6,999

A charming terracotta rendition of Poikalkudhirai, the beloved dummy-horse folk art of Tamil Nadu. Intricately hand-carved with ornate bridles, bells, and decorative patterns, the sculpture captures the spirited character used in traditional street performances and temple festivals. Its warm, earthy terracotta finish and detailed craftsmanship celebrate rural artistry and folk heritage, honoring a centuries-old tradition of storytelling through dance and sculpture. 

Textures of Coral and Fungi

23,000

A richly textured stoneware sculpture mimicking the concentric growth of coral formations and layered fungi. Deep bronze and copper glazes ripple outward in organic, wave-like ridges, catching light across sculpted grooves and folds. Set against a raw, earthy base, the piece evokes the quiet resilience of natural forms shaped by time and erosion. It celebrates the intricate beauty found in nature’s smallest, often-overlooked structures.