For many artists, the journey begins in childhood with an early fascination for colours and drawing. For Utkarsh Parshavnath Nandre, however, the path to becoming an artist arrived unexpectedly. Today, the young visual artist from Rukadi, a village in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, is recognised for creating expressive large scale paintings that celebrate everyday life, hardworking communities, and the emotional connections between people and their surroundings. His work reflects not only technical skill but also an honest commitment to portraying the beauty found in ordinary moments.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVA) at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Utkarsh continues to develop a distinctive visual language rooted in observation and lived experience. Whether depicting farmers in Maharashtra or fishermen in Goa, his paintings invite viewers to appreciate stories of resilience, dignity, and contentment that often remain unnoticed.
An Unlikely Beginning
Growing up in an artist’s family, one might assume that painting naturally became part of Utkarsh’s life. Surprisingly, that was never the case. Although his father is an artist and he spent much of his childhood around his father’s studio, he had little interest in painting and rarely picked up a brush. Until the end of school, art remained something he observed rather than something he actively pursued.
Everything changed during the COVID 19 pandemic. With more time available, Utkarsh began experimenting with watercolours purely out of curiosity. Those simple experiments gradually transformed into a genuine passion, encouraging him to study colours, forms, and composition more closely. Visits to museums, exhibitions, and art fairs further expanded his understanding of art, helping him realise that painting is not simply about creating beautiful images but about expressing ideas, emotions, and personal experiences.
Inspired by Maharashtra’s Rural Life
The greatest influence on Utkarsh’s artistic practice comes from his upbringing in rural Maharashtra. Growing up in Rukadi, where farming forms an important part of everyday life, he witnessed the dedication of farmers who began work before sunrise, returned home after long days in the fields, and found happiness in simple moments shared with family and friends. These experiences became the foundation of his artistic identity.
Rather than focusing on hardship, Utkarsh chooses to celebrate the quieter moments that define rural life. His paintings capture farmers sharing meals, resting after work, celebrating festivals, or spending time with loved ones. Through expressive figures, vibrant colours, and carefully balanced compositions, he preserves memories that reflect warmth, resilience, and optimism. For him, painting is a way of honouring the people and places that shaped his perspective while allowing others to experience the beauty of everyday life.
A Defining Opportunity in Goa
A significant milestone in Utkarsh’s journey came through his admiration for renowned artist Dr. Subodh Kerkar. Having followed his work for several years, Utkarsh met him during a visit to the Museum of Goa with his family in 2023. Inspired by the meeting, he later shared his portfolio through Instagram and expressed his interest in interning with him. Impressed by his work, Dr. Kerkar invited him to Goa, opening the door to an invaluable learning experience.
During his internship, Utkarsh contributed drawings for a sculpture and created A Sip of Beer, an artwork that became part of the World’s Largest Beer Museum in Goa. Working alongside Dr. Kerkar and the Museum of Goa team gave him the freedom to experiment with new ideas, materials, and techniques while strengthening both his artistic confidence and creative practice.
Words from Mentor Dr. Subodh Kerkar
Reflecting on Utkarsh’s time at the Museum of Goa and the Beer Museum, renowned Goan artist and sculptor Dr. Subodh Kerkar recalls him as an exceptionally gifted young artist with remarkable potential. Having closely observed his creative process, Dr. Kerkar was particularly impressed by Utkarsh’s confident command of line, strong understanding of form and colour, and his ability to remain deeply connected to the subjects he paints. One aspect that stood out was his distinctive technique of painting with a long-handled brush, which, according to Dr. Kerkar, complements his confidence and allows him to create bold, powerful lines and expressive textures with ease. He also praises the thoughtful colour palettes and compelling figurative compositions that define Utkarsh’s work. Describing him as a talented and dedicated artist, Dr. Kerkar believes Utkarsh possesses the skill, vision, and commitment to build a remarkable artistic career, adding that he is confident the young painter will continue to grow into a very fine artist.
A Sip of Beer: Capturing the Spirit of Goa
Created during his internship in Goa, A Sip of Beer reflects Utkarsh’s ability to immerse himself in the culture of the place he inhabits. Rather than continuing with his familiar subject of farmers, he spent time observing Goa’s fishing communities, studying their daily routines, body language, and close relationship with the sea. The result is a painting that combines a fisherman, Goan vegetation, travelling palms, and a beer bottle to evoke the atmosphere of Goa.
The beer bottle serves as a thoughtful symbol rather than a celebration of alcohol. For Utkarsh, it represents a quiet moment of rest after a physically demanding day at sea. By connecting the bottle with dignity, hard work, and relaxation, he presents a more meaningful interpretation of a familiar Goan image. Warm colours, expressive brushwork, and dynamic compositions allow viewers to connect with the work through their own memories and experiences rather than a fixed narrative.
Finding Beauty in Unconventional Materials
One of the most distinctive aspects of A Sip of Beer is the surface on which it is painted. Instead of choosing a traditional canvas, Utkarsh worked on discarded tarpaulin discovered during his time at the Beer Museum. The worn material, marked by stains and textures from its previous use, immediately appealed to him because it carried its own history and character.
Using Opus Birla oil enamel paint, a material commonly found in everyday life, further strengthened his desire to create art that feels familiar and accessible. He also stitched together three separate tarpaulin panels with thread, transforming the visible seams into a symbolic element of the artwork. For him, these stitches represent the resilience, patience, and determination of working communities whose daily efforts hold countless aspects of life together.
Movement as a Creative Language
Utkarsh’s paintings are instantly recognisable for their monumental scale and energetic brushwork. Rather than painting with a conventional brush held in his hand, he works using brushes attached to a five foot stick. This unusual approach allows him to paint from a distance, creating expressive marks that emerge naturally through movement instead of precise control.
He rarely begins with detailed sketches, preferring instead to let the composition evolve intuitively on the surface. Every painting becomes a process of discovery where rhythm, colour, and gesture gradually shape the final image. For Utkarsh, the physical act of painting is as important as the completed artwork, making movement an essential part of his creative language.
Creating Meaning Through Connection
Throughout his artistic journey, Utkarsh has remained committed to creating paintings that encourage personal interpretation. While every artwork begins with his own observations and experiences, he believes viewers should be free to connect with the work through their own memories, emotions, and perspectives. Whether someone responds to the colours, the atmosphere, or the figures within a painting, every interpretation is equally valid.
Looking ahead, his immediate focus remains on completing his Bachelor of Visual Arts while continuing to refine his understanding of materials, composition, and large scale painting. His long term aspiration is not simply to create visually impressive works, but to produce paintings that inspire joy, peace, and hope. Grounded in authenticity and shaped by lived experience, Utkarsh Nandre’s art demonstrates that the most powerful stories often emerge from everyday life, inviting audiences to discover extraordinary beauty in the ordinary.