Kota Neelima's paintings inspired by farmers widows

Author-artist Kota Neelima, who has researched rural distress and farmers' suicides, is currently exhibiting a selection of 40 paintings and photographs that speak of the condition of these farmers' widows in Maharashtra.

Her exhibition 'The Nature of Things: Death and Dualism in Indian Villages' was open from August 23-29 at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

Her research work was focussed on the Beed district of Maharashtra, which records a high incidence of farmer suicides and is a drought-affected region of Marathwada.

Neelima said that the paintings are inspired from her conversations with farmers' widows, who are battling severe distress but still strive to be hopeful and resilient.

The exhibition seeks to assist the families of the farmers who committed suicide, by utilising the proceeds from the sale of the artworks for them, Neelima said.