Tanmai Reddy Keesara (Tanu) is a visual artist from Hyderabad, best known as The Purple Canvas on Instagram. Though she discovered her passion for art early on, she initially pursued a degree in Pharmacy before transitioning into the creative field. During her graduation, she was introduced to charcoal art—a medium that deeply resonated with her and eventually became her niche.
After completing her pharmacy degree, Tanmai studied Design and Animation at Ramanaidu College, which provided a strong foundation in visual storytelling. Over the past four years, she has been working independently as a freelancer, collaborating with clients across India. Her work spans diverse forms, including art, products, murals, branding, illustrations, loop animations, and storyboards for short films and TV productions.
She has collaborated with brands, cafés, cultural spaces, and has also contributed to government and public art projects. Notable highlights include designing merchandise for the Indian Navy, co-leading an India Book of Records-setting mural event, and creating artworks for educational spaces such as Anganwadis.
Tanmai is currently building Studio Purple Canvas, a dedicated space for her art and design practice. Through her work, she strives to create art that is both impactful and meaningful—art that feels good to own, rooted in storytelling and culture, and timeless in the way it connects with people.