On the morning of March 13th at 8 a.m., viewers tuned in to both DD National and DD Bharti channels to witness Dr. Balaram Khamari discuss his passion for microbial artistry.
Invited as a guest expert in the Art and Culture segment (Srijan) of the DD Morning Show, Dr. Balaram Khamari, Asst. Professor, Biosciences, engaged in an enlightening conversation with anchors Vironika Sharma and Roma Pandit.
During the interview, Dr. Balaram delved into the intricacies of microbial art, sharing insights into its uniqueness, his inspirations, the scientific underpinnings, the creative process, as well as the challenges and precautions involved. He also shed light on how his journey as a microbial artist has shaped him as a scientist and educator, while also discussing his future aspirations and the significance of this art form.
A distinguished alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Balaram, earned his B.Sc. (Hons) degree in 2014 and achieved his M.Sc. with distinction, receiving a Gold medal in 2016. Progressing further in his academic journey, he successfully obtained his Ph.D. in 2021. Presently, Balaram serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosciences at the Brindavan campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. His accolades include securing 2nd place in the prestigious Agar Art contest organized by the American Society for Microbiology in 2020, with his masterpiece titled ‘Microbial Peacock’.
Furthermore, Dr. Balaram’s expertise in microbial artistry garnered attention beyond borders, as he was featured on the History TV18 channel’s popular show, ‘OMG! Yeh Mera India’, in 2022.
Watch the Interview: https://youtu.be/UYPTHSZ6C4Q?si=uCiNXc_wbpYf0ZIO (Courtesy: DD National YouTube Channel)
Exploring Agar Art: Where Science Meets Creativity
Ever wondered about the mesmerizing world of Agar art? Agar, derived from seaweed, serves as the canvas for microbial artists like Dr. Balaram. By cultivating microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, or protists in aesthetically arranged patterns on Petri plates, Agar art transforms science into captivating visuals.
Under the umbrella of ‘Sci-Art’, microbial artistry blends scientific precision with artistic expression. Through careful inoculation and incubation, microbial colonies grow to form intricate patterns and designs on the Agar plate. The vibrant hues of the microbes lend their colors to create stunning visuals, making each piece a masterpiece of both science and art.
We congratulate Dr. Balaram Khamari for his remarkable achievements and contributions to the world of microbial art. As he continues to inspire with his creativity and expertise, we eagerly anticipate many more accolades in his illustrious journey ahead.
