The line of Vaikuntam has a magical quality suggesting both contour and volume. He consciously transforms the line of force, volume and tactile feeling into one of decoration to suit his purpose. The eroticism thus appears very subtle and merely suggestive.

          Like the folk painters, the placement of the form, without illusionistic depth, the decorative pattern on the fabric, the endless repetition of typical form show Vaikuntam's urbane approach and makes it clear that he could remodel and restructure any tradition for working out his style. Undisturbed by environment we concentrate on the psychological tensions generated on purely human terms. These small paintings with large figures occupy the viewers gaze. They seem to be prisoners of their own decorated garments and jewelry that symbolize societal rules. Using powerful images of women, Vaikuntam explains and illumines the rich meaning of feminine beauty.

QUALIFICATION

• 1980 Diploma in Painting, M.S. Uni.
• 1982 Post Diploma in Graphics, M.S. Uni.
• 1980 to 82/1997 Visiting faculty N.l.D., Ahmedabad.
• 1987 to 1990 Member Lalit Kala Akedemi, Gujarat.

SOLO EXHIBITION

• 1969, 71, 72, 89, 92  Jehangir art gallery, Bombay
• 1973 Triveni Art Gallery, N.Delhi.
• 1974, 81, 83, 84, 85 - Taj Art Gallery, Bombay
• 1975, 78 - Max Muller Bhavan, Bombay
• 1978, 91, 93 - Art Heritage, N.Delhi
• 1980, 87 Contemporary Art Gallery, Bombay
• 1980 Grindlays Bank, Chennai
• 1988 Vithi Art Gallery, Baroda
• 1990 Designscape Gallery, Bombay
• 1991 Mauritius - sponsored by Air Mauritius - Air India - Continental Hotel, Curepipe
• 1992, 93 Lalit Kala Academy, Ahmedabad
• 1995 Exhibition in aid of Cry, New York, U.S.A.
• 1996 "Ashle House", Chennai
• 1996 Cymroza Art Gallery, Bombay
• 1996 Crimson Art Gallery, Bangalore
• 1997 Wallace Gallery, New York, U.S.A.
• 1998 Crimson Art Gallery, Bangalore
• 1999 Cymroza Art Gallery, Bombay

GROUP EXHIBITION

• 1976 Four Mumbai artists, Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay
• 1972, 80 Graphic prints, Government Museum, Chandigarh
• 1982 Drawings - Government museum, Chandigarh
• 1985 Thirty Indian artist - Richarson Hindustan Collection,
• 1987 Indian drawings - Today, Jehangir Art Gallery,
• 1988 Cry Exhibition, Mumbai
• 1990 Vishav Gurjari Exhibition, Mumbai
• 1991 Seventh Triennale, N. Delhi
• 1992 Man and women - The Art Trust, Mumbai
• 1992 Image and Words - Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust, New Delhi
• 1997 Art World, Chennai
• 1998 The Harmony show, Mumbai
• 1998 Masters for Child Exhibition by Ashray, Dubai
• 1998 Exhibition of contemporary Indian Art by Galleria, London
• 1998 Bayer and RPG collection of Indian Art Exhibition, Germany
• 1999 Multiple Images - Exhibition by mssi, Mumbai
• 1999 The Harmony Show, Mumbai
• 1999 Indian Contemporary Paintings - By Art World (Chennai) at Malaysia.
• 1999 Oberoi Art Camp - Show, Bombay
• 1999 Fortune Art Gallery - Ahmedabad
• 1999 Auction + Exhibition - S.S.T.N. Chennai

AWARDS

• 1966, 67, 87 - First prize Gujarat Lalit Kala Akedami, Ahmedabad
• 1967, 89 - First prize Kalidas Art Exhibition, Ujjain
• 1970 Gold medal and First Prize Art Society of India, Mumbai
• 1972 First prize for best figure study - Art Society of India exhibition, Mumbai
• 1974 Silver medal, best Drawing, Bombay Art Society Exhibition, Mumbai
• 1978 Cash prize for best drawing Mumbai Art Society Exhibition, Mumbai
• 1978 Cash prize for Lithograph - Fifth all India Graphics Exhibition, Hyderabad
• 1984 Takhman - 28, Print awards for Etching - Udaipur
• 1996 Prize for drawing - All India Art Exhibition, Lucknow, U.P

MAJOR PROJECTS

• 1970 Mural - Air-India Booking Office, New York, U.S.A.
• 1991 Tisco Calendar
• 1997105 Artist of Ahmedabad Exhibition conciered and curated with wife Chitra for Archer, Ahmedabad.

1999 "Young Brush of Ahmedabad" arranged for Mega show, Inside-Outside at Ahmedabad.