Madhukar Mucharla, an artist from Nandi Wanaparthy village near Hyderabad, Telangana, draws deeply from his roots as the son of a farmer and his early exposure to traditional leatherwork. Growing up around the craftsmanship of leather footwear and
Madhukar Mucharla, an artist from Nandi Wanaparthy village near Hyderabad, Telangana, draws deeply from his roots as the son of a farmer and his early exposure to traditional leatherwork. Growing up around the craftsmanship of leather footwear and drums, his artistic journey has remained closely connected to his cultural and social heritage.
He earned his Master of Fine Arts from JNAFA University in 2020, following a Bachelor's degree from P.S. Telugu University in 2017. During his postgraduate studies, Madhukar experienced a pivotal shift in his practice, discovering the expressive potential of leather as a medium in contemporary art. A traditional leather puppetry workshop marked a significant turning point, where he began to move beyond conventional portraiture. Through intricate hand-stitching and innovative techniques, he began crafting powerful visual narratives that engage with history and social justice.
His work often features figures such as Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule, reflecting his commitment to amplifying voices of social reform. Today, Madhukar's art weaves together themes of Dalit identity, mythology, and collective memory, using leather not just as material, but as a metaphor for resilience and transformation. His practice stands as a compelling testament to how traditional forms and materials can be reimagined to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate marginalized histories.
Madhukar Mucharla, an artist from Nandi Wanaparthy village near Hyderabad, Telangana, draws deeply from his roots as the son of a farmer and his early exposure to traditional leatherwork. Growing up around the craftsmanship of leather footwear and drums, his artistic journey has remained closely
Madhukar Mucharla, an artist from Nandi Wanaparthy village near Hyderabad, Telangana, draws deeply from his roots as the son of a farmer and his early exposure to traditional leatherwork. Growing up around the craftsmanship of leather footwear and drums, his artistic journey has remained closely connected to his cultural and social heritage.
He earned his Master of Fine Arts from JNAFA University in 2020, following a Bachelor's degree from P.S. Telugu University in 2017. During his postgraduate studies, Madhukar experienced a pivotal shift in his practice, discovering the expressive potential of leather as a medium in contemporary art. A traditional leather puppetry workshop marked a significant turning point, where he began to move beyond conventional portraiture. Through intricate hand-stitching and innovative techniques, he began crafting powerful visual narratives that engage with history and social justice.
His work often features figures such as Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule, reflecting his commitment to amplifying voices of social reform. Today, Madhukar's art weaves together themes of Dalit identity, mythology, and collective memory, using leather not just as material, but as a metaphor for resilience and transformation. His practice stands as a compelling testament to how traditional forms and materials can be reimagined to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate marginalized histories.
