Delighted to see you here!
Dr. Lalitha Ragavan, founder of Lalitha Colors (www.lalithacolors.com), is an acclaimed artist based in Chennai, India. With a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding & Biotechnology from Coimbatore, India and prior experience as a scientist in Spain, she transitioned to full-time artistry in 2016. Specializing in Tanjore painting, pen sketching, and watercolor, Lalitha’s work celebrates Indian heritage. In January 2025, she launched “Aalayaa Art,” a course teaching Shilpa Shastra-inspired art to preserve cultural values. Having mentored over 450 in-person and 4,500 online students, including IIT Madras learners, she also showcases her art in prestigious exhibitions across India.
Her watercolor paintings, renowned for their vibrant skies, captivate art enthusiasts with their luminous beauty. Her pen sketching masterfully captures nature’s essence, crafted from reference images she photographs during her travels. Specializing in landscapes, she draws inspiration from her journeys, infusing each piece with personal vision. Additionally, her recent Shilpa Shastra-inspired artworks, influenced by temple visits across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Ajanta-Ellora, reflect a deep commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage.

Artist's Story
"A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others - Salvador Dali"
Each of us harbors a narrative woven from the vibrant tapestries of our childhood paintings. The act of creating art never grew monotonous; we reveled in the hours spent sketching, doodling, and imbuing our canvases with color. In those formative years, art emerged spontaneously—unfettered by the need for motivation, unguided by tutorials, unbound by time constraints, and unburdened by the pursuit of perfection. It was an era marked by pure joy, boundless happiness, and unadulterated excitement.
Today, the quintessential first painting of a child often depicts a bucolic landscape bathed in the light of a rising sun, nestled among rolling hills, dotted with a smattering of trees, and graced by a quaint abode. It warms the heart to witness our children echo this timeless tradition, their innocent strokes evoking a tender smile. Painting remains the most profound medium for self-expression, a therapeutic escape that soothes the soul and rejuvenates the spirit. What, then, hinders you from crafting your heartfelt masterpieces? Reconnect with your inner child and unleash your creative essence!
A painting steeped in soulfulness forges a bond with our intrinsic nature. It beckons us to live in harmony with the natural world, positively influencing our cognitive processes and instilling tranquility in any setting. Indeed, painting is an odyssey of self-discovery—a resounding affirmation of one’s identity.
Choosing My References


In the moments I carve out for leisure, I find solace in the company of my family and the pursuit of landscape photography. It is a practice that particularly captivates me. I frequently draw upon my personal collection of photographs as references for my landscape paintings, a process that yields profound joy and a deep sense of fulfilment.
Workshops & Demos
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Watercolour Painting Demo
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Lalit Kala Akademi, Greams Road, Chennai - 600006, India
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26 August 2024
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Pen Sketching & Watercolour Painting Workshops:
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Conducted at IIT Madras, Chennai - 600036, India
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Years: 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
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Watercolour Painting for Beginners:
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Conducted numerous workshops, both in-person and online
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Locations: Chennai & Bangalore, India
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Online Education:
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Educated 450+ students in person and 4500+ students through online classes
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Exhibitions
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Kalaa Har Jagah, CP Art Centre, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600018, India
28 February to 2 March, 2025
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Chitra Santhe, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru - 560001, India
5th January 2025
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Art Affinity, Lalit Kala Akademi, Greams Road, Chennai - 600006, India
25 to 31 August, 2024
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Palette Perspectives, SK's The Lines & Curves Art Gallery, Kolathur, Chennai - 600099, India
12 to 14 July, 2024
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Chennaiyil Oru Oviya Sangamam, Semmozhi Poonga, Teynampet, Chennai - 600018, India
9 June, 2024
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Waves Of Colours, SK's The Lines & Curves Art Gallery, Kolathur, Chennai - 600099, India
12 to 14 April, 2024
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ART STREET, Coimbatore - 641002, India
5 & 6 January, 2024