For senior artist Gayatri Aundhkar, every brushstroke is a conversation between the past and the future. Through vibrant mixed-media pieces, she brings overlooked Indian traditions back into focus.

“My art is very rooted in India,” she says. “I like combining forgotten traditional styles with modern techniques to create something unique.” 

Aundhkar uses art to preserve and reinterpret the stories by blending paint, textiles, clay, and sewn fabric, often drawing from historical and everyday traditions. Her work is in color, texture, and cultural meaning. Aundhkar’s drive for art is reviving overlooked Indian art forms, especially those rooted in everyday storytelling. 

“Pottery, for example, was historically used not just for function, but for storytelling. I’ve tried to recreate that, translating those textures and shapes into paint-based forms,” she explains.

While her work draws heavily on the past, she uses tradition to create conversations. She’s redesigned classic games like Tic Tac Toe and Monopoly with Indian mythology and cultural aesthetics, offering a new meaning. 

“It’s about inviting people into the story, using something familiar to share something they might not know,” she says. “A lot of our traditions are slowly fading,” Aundhkar notes. “I want to bring them back, not just copy them, but give them new life.” This drive for cultural preservation is central to her work.

One of her proudest pieces is a 3 by 4 royal seal of two kings from Maharashtra, layered with historical symbolism. 

“It was my first large piece,” Aundhkar recalls. “I sewed fabric, added gems and pushed myself to try new things. I learned a lot through that piece.”

Reflecting on her journey, she says, “At first, it was more like what you’d do in school. But now, I’m using it to talk about identity, history and tradition in a way that speaks to others.”

Although painting remains her main focus, Aundhkar is exploring digital tools as she prepares for a future in animation and character design. 

“I want to bring stories to life, create characters from scripts, and make them feel real.”

Whether through clay or a digital canvas, Aundhkar is shaping a new story, blending the history of her culture with the possibilities of modern art. As she continues to evolve as an artist, her work serves as both a tribute to the traditions, and ensures these stories are preserved for generations.