Born in 1942 in Andha Pradesh, Thota Vaikuntam’s creative wellspring draws inspiration from the rural locales within this state. He accomplished a Diploma in Painting from the College of Fine Arts and Architecture in Hyderabad in the year 1970. Further advancing his artistic education, he pursued another diploma, this time in Painting and Printmaking, from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda in 1972.

The central figures in his artistic narratives frequently revolve around the men and women residing in his village. Notably, his focus often rests on the women of Telangana, who serve as recurring subjects in his works. This fascination can be traced back to his early years, during which he held a keen interest in the male performers who would portray female roles in the roving theatre troupes that staged performances in his village. He openly acknowledges his perception of the women in his village as possessing an alluring quality, and he strives to encapsulate their vibrant spirit through his artistry.

Vaikuntam’s artistic expressions radiate a sense of robustness, stemming from the application of paint or charcoal onto his canvases, the deliberate precision of his lines, and the meticulous execution of his finely detailed strokes. His artistic palette predominantly comprises primary colours, as he holds the belief that amalgamated colours diverge from nature’s inherent hues and therefore appear contrived.