Hyderabad: Old-timers are bound to go down the memory lane and recall the good old days when they get to see the ‘faith healers,’ a figurative artwork on canvas by eminent sculptor-painter Susheel Kumar Gotla. His theme, as the name suggests, revolves around the contributions of several persons who treated ailments from the medicines they distilled from nature’s bounty.
Historically, Hyderabad has been home to popular healers and hakims, about whom Gotla got to know from his family elders. Most of the practitioners provided treatments free of cost.
To this category of healers belongs the hugely patronised Bathini Goud family, which administers fish medicine for patients down with asthma and bronchitis.
The artist has used earthy tones of acrylic colours to bring his vision to life.
Explaining about the various healers and their influence on his creations, he said, “Paul Venkatchalam Gotla used to offer secret but highly effective household remedies mixed with aloe vera extract for stomach ailments free of cost in Ramkote. A healer from Seriligampally has won fame for treatment of dog bites. Even in contemporary times, there are some renowned faith healers in and around Hyderabad. One such person is a ‘practitioner’ from Barkas, who has earned fame for treatment of jaundice using his unique healing methods.
Gotla pointed out that the Sixth Nizam Nawab Mir Mahbub Ali Khan was known to possess healing powers to treat snake bites. To this day, people visit his tomb in Macca Masjid premises to seek his blessings for their good health.
