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On a rainy evening in Bengaluru, 15-year-old Sai Akhil Anand , son of chess legend Viswanathan Anand and Aruna Anand, presented his art exhibition Bindu and Rekha at the Sandeep and Geetanjali Maini Foundation. The showcase featured works exploring dots, lines, textures and patterns drawn from nature, particularly the markings and forms found in animals.

The exhibition offered a glimpse into Akhil’s fascination with rhythm, contrast and storytelling through visual patterns. Explaining the title, Aruna Anand said the name emerged from her son’s belief that “art begins with a dot and continues with a line.”

Recalling how his interest in art developed, she said, “From the time he was very small, he was always keen on scribbling. Whether it was with a stick in a park or drawing in a sandpit at a Christmas party, he was constantly creating something.”

For Viswanathan Anand, the exhibition marked a proud milestone. “I'm incredibly proud, but more importantly, happy that he's pursuing something he genuinely enjoys. These are the experiences you remember later in life,” he said.

Speaking about the opportunity, Viswanathan also praised the support Akhil received from the city. “The encouragement has been wonderful. For a foundation to give a 15-year-old this platform is super cool for us,” he added.