‘Everything changed and came to a standstill’: Artist on life during Covid lockdown

An exhibition in Pune rekindles forgotten memories and feelings of the pandemic

The exhibition ends the way the pandemic did—with an image of the sun rising on a new beginning.

Chithkala Ramesh was never a very social person, but she did enjoy stepping out every now and then to go to a cafe and paint and be around people. She also would travel solo and find inspiration for more paintings. When the lockdown began, Chithkala did not know how to accept it. “Everything changed and came to a standstill,” she says.

A regular artist since childhood and an NID alumnus, Chithkala froze and became unable to paint. As she gradually made peace with the turbulent years of COVID, Chithkala created a series of works that document personal – and universal journeys of the emotions during the period.

On August 2, an exhibition of these works, “Once Upon A Time, A Pandemic” opened at the Monalisa Kalagram in Koregaon Park. The exhibition rekindles memories of the pandemic, reminding audiences of the suffering that the world appears to have forgotten.

The first work shows two empty plastic chairs, skeletal white, facing each other on a balcony. This is a fictionalised image of her balcony in Pune when the lockdown happened. “All I was left with were these two plastic chairs. Slowly I started noticing the trees around the balcony, the birds and the blue sky,” she said.

The exhibition is arranged into four parts and, after the first images from Pune, it moves to the artist’s travels to Goa and Uttarakhand. There are depictions of her time at home in Bengaluru after the first lockdown, when she started cycling around, when street dogs became her new friends and her time spent with her grandmother— all of which are represented in her art.

It is in the third part of the exhibition that death and the looming threat of COVID-19 makes an appearance. The experience is captured in images of a small car that the artist had to drive as if it were an ambulance, an ECG report and, finally, a password to a phone. The exhibition ends the way the pandemic did—with an image of the sun rising on a new beginning.

“A lot of people think that art is my hobby. But, art is actually like my best friend who has got my back. No matter what happens, art helps me find a place of calm. More than anything, it is a silent friend,” says Chithkala.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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