HYDERABAD: Art met science at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in the city recently when a group of artists paid the institute a visit. At the unusual interaction, scientists, who can usually be seen looking through a microscope, found themselves seeing the world from a different prism.
The CCMB often hosts ‘open days' to raise awareness about science among the public. Usually, these events attract children only. To bring all age groups into the fold, and also to widen their own perspective, the institute invited artists belonging to the Urban Sketchers group in Hyderabad.
As many as 50 ‘skechers' – children and adults – made their way to the lab on Nov 9. What followed at the Habsiguda lab was a profound meeting that opened a new way of looking at the world for both sides.

During the interaction, Dr Raghunand Tirmulai, senior principal scientist at CCMB, was seen using a magnifying glass to closely examine a sketch. The scientist was impressed by the details, much like all other researchers who could not help but awe over the works of artists.
Dr Somdatta Karak, head, science communication and public outreach, and Aditya Undru, senior project associate, at CCMB first came up with the idea of inviting the urban sketchers over to the CCMB campus.
"They observed and made sketches of the premises, the buildings and the labs. The best part was their interactions with the scientists. As they too have an eye for detail, they could understand the research work that is going on in various labs," said Somdatta.
Recalling the experience, Aditya Undru said, "It gave an opportunity for sketchers of all age groups and educational backgrounds to come and discover the place for themselves. Each one noticed something that caught their attention and sketched it."

The CCMB has housed work of famous artists, held camps for well-known painters, with M F Hussain himself spending time there. However, the recent initiative of inviting skechers was the first one of its kind.
In fact, acknowledging the work of the artists, a new auditorium is set to open at CCMB where their works will be displayed later this month. A few of the works from the recent interaction may also find a permanent place in CCMB. "When the sketchers show their works of art to others, it will serve the purpose of creating more interest in CCMB, and thereby science," Dr Somdatta Karak said.

Vishal Sah, project research scientist, said the artists literally opened his eyes to something he otherwise would not have paid any special attention. "Their depiction of the lab area, beyond my own workspace, made me notice everything in detail," he said.
Not just the scientists, but artists too were fascinated. "They were curious and had many questions. For the interest that they showed, I would most certainly have liked to teach them more," said Dr Raghunand Tirumalai.
At Tirumai's lab, artists were told about tuberculosis research being done at the lab. He too said that the intricacy of a sketch from his lab was are "simply astounding".
The sketchers were also taken to the lab of Dr Rukmini Raju, principal technical officer where the machines fascinated them.

Artists of Urban Sketchers described the work of CCMB scientists as ‘labour of love'.
Speaking about their different work spaces, Syed Zeeshan Ahamad, one of the regional coordinators of Urban Sketchers, said, "Artists prefer open areas. When we saw scientists in their labs and at the kind of work they engage in, we were fascinated because this is different for us."
The trip to CCMB was the 298th sketching trip organised by the Urban Sketchers, and it was the first to a scientific institution. Faraaz Farshori, co-founder of USk Hyderabad, was pivotal in getting the artists to CCMB. Farshori said that this visit would pave the way for many more interactions between scientists and artists.

It was a unique experience being part of the world we hardly know of. To see it for one day for a few brief moments is different from working there every day. The visit really made me appreciate scientists for the work they do –Rosy J Mallaparaju, who sketched sitting in front of CCMB canteen
CCMB carries out important research. The scientists have a purpose, to create better, healthy life on earth. I truly appreciate what they do — Uma Tirumalasetti, she drew a sketch of Buddha stone carving in front of CCMB with charcoal