Anji Akondi Founder & Director

Passion, dedication, artistic legacy.

Anji Akondi, S/o Venkata Gopala Krishna Murthy, born on 16 November 1980, hails from Katrenikona, Konaseema (Amalapuram). He is a distinguished fine artist, educator, and cultural patron, widely respected for his lifelong contribution to art education and artist empowerment.

He holds a Degree in Fine Arts from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh. Professionally, he served as a Drawing Teacher at ZPHS Lakshmiwada from 2012 to 2024. He is also a certified Trainer and Instructor for TTC in East Godavari District, and actively serves society in his role as a priest.

Anji Akondi is the Founder and President of Creative Hearts Academy of Fine Arts, established in 2015 and formally organized as an institution in 2015. The academy is ISO certified, registered in 2020 (Regd. 1/2020), and affiliated with Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, and also affiliated to Suro Bharati Sangeet Kala Kendra and MSME Certified by government of India .

Since its inception, Creative Hearts Academy has trained multiple batches of students in Fine Arts diploma programs. The academy conducts regional, national, and all-India level art and craft competitions, workshops, exhibitions, and online events, motivating artists by providing platforms and honoring them with medals, certificates, and mementos. Today, the institution is widely acclaimed among artists across India.

Anji Akondi has conducted and curated numerous exhibitions featuring more than 100 artists from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other states. He has participated in exhibitions held in Chennai, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Amalapuram, Rajahmundry, and at the Salar Jung Museum, JNAFAU - Nehru art gallery and has received several national and international awards.

His artistic repertoire includes oil painting, acrylics, watercolours, charcoal, pencil art. His works reflect Indian village life, culture, spirituality, and human emotions, with notable themes centered on Lord Anjaneya. His mastery of colour, texture, and form brings life to still-life compositions and expressive black-and-white charcoal portraits.

Every year, he organizes free group shows, workshops, and competitions, personally bearing expenses ranging from ₹1.5 to ₹ lakhs. Since 2018, he has also been conducting free offline drawing classes in Amalapuram. Many artists have secured employment in the art field through his guidance and references.

Anji Akondi is not only a practicing artist but also a discerning art lover and true art patron who celebrates and supports the excellence of fellow and aspiring artists. His passion and dedication continue to inspire generations of art lovers.

Programs & milestones through the years.

2017
September 14 – Art & Craft Competition at Jaganayakpur, Kakinada.
December 6 – Solo Art Exhibition at Government High School, Katrenikona.

2018
October 29 – Art & Craft Competition at Jaganayakpur, Kakinada.

2019
March 31 – Art & Craft Workshop in collaboration with Fevicryl for teachers, Kakinada.
October 12 – Art & Craft Competition at Sundaraiyya Bhavan, Kakinada.

2020
March 22 – Ugadi Puraskar Art Workshop at Katrenikona with 25 artists.
August 31 – All India Online Art Competition, Theme: “Salute Indian Army”.
October 11 – Art & Craft Competition at DPS, Amalapuram (Coconut Scrap Theme).

2021
January 10 – Sankranthi Utsav Art & Craft Competition at DPS, Amalapuram.
August 15 – All India Online Competition on Sri Krishna Janmashtami.
September 26 – Watercolour Work Demo by eminent artist, Kakinada.
October 20 – 6th Anniversary Art Competition and felicitation of 10 artists.

2022
April 3 – Master Stroke 1 Group Art Show, Balotsav Bhavan, Vijayawada (40 artists).
August 21 – Watercolour Portrait & Oil Landscape Demo, Kakinada.
December 10 – All India Online Competition, Theme: “Namami Vande Mataram”.

2023
February 12 – Master Stroke 2 Group Art Show, Vijayawada.
July 9 – All India NTR Portrait Competition, 100th Birth Anniversary of NTR.
October 8 – 8th Anniversary Competition “Vande Veda Bharatham”, DPS Amalapuram.

2024
February 10 – Master Stroke 3 Group Art Show, Salar Jung Museum (50 artists).
June 2 – “Conducted group show named "Spectacles ", in Rajahmundry with 40 artists on topic landmarks in konaseema, Rajahmundry and Kakinada.
September 29 – “Organised "Radicals" the art show, with 50 Artists at National level. Concept being 'Grameena Bharatham' in Kakinada.

2025
February 7 – Master Stroke 4, JNAFAU Nehru Art Gallery, Hyderabad (53 artists).
March 9 – Inauguration of Creative Hearts Art Gallery, Katrenikona.

Participation & recognitions.

2018 – KCP Award, Eenadu publications, Chitra Kala Santha Bangalore, Choodavaram Award.

2019 – Kona Seema Chitra Mitra Award, Chennai Sri Dharshini Award, Jamini Roy Award.

2020 – KCP Pragathi Chitra Award, Eenadu special article.

2021 – Ugadi Visruthi Puraskar, Teachers Award, VAPA Exhibition.

2022 – Golden Lotus Art Legend Award, Salar Jung Museum Show, Eenadu Cover Page.

2023 – Best Youth Teacher Award, Chitra Ratnam, Art Galaxy Award, multiple felicitation honors.

2024–2025 – Nataraja Puraskar, ART of AP publication, Judge at Kriya Art Fest, Udaya Art Academy Felicitation.

Programs & Recognitions
2025 – 2026

04 April 2025
Amaravati Chitrakala Veedhi – Art participation and representation at Amaravati.

19 July 2025
Sindhoor – All India Art Competition (National-level participation).

20 July 2025
Felicitation by Bhimavaram Art Society for contribution to fine arts.

24 August 2025
Felicitation at Vijayawada on the occasion of Sramika Jeevanam Art Exhibition.

19 September 2025
Felicitation by the Hon’ble Governor of Meghalaya for excellence in art.

30 September 2025
Creative Hearts Academy of Fine Arts – 10th Anniversary celebrations, conducted as an All India Online Art & Craft Competition.

11 January 2026
Creative Hearts Academy of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Delhi Public School (DPS), organized the Art & Craft Mega Utsav, promoting creativity among young and emerging artists.

6, 7, 8 February 2026
Conducted Nation wide compitition Master Stroke 5 on theme "folk arts of India". And conducted exhibition with 80 selected artists at Jawahar Lal Neharu art gallery JNFAU Hyderabad.