It was their love of art that brought them together. Artist couple Rameshwar Broota and Vasundhara Tewari Broota met at Triveni Kala Sangam when she trained under Rameshwar. Both say they are different in many ways but insist that the strength of their relationship lies in their ability to live and let live.

Rameshwar Broota?s love for art began at the age of four, when he watched his elder brother paint. From that time onwards, he was always painting, even if it meant neglecting his studies. However, since art was not a very viable profession at that point of time, Broota decided to join the police or the army. So, he appeared for the National Defence Academy test. But when he did not clear the final rounds, he turned back to his first love ? painting.

Graduating from Delhi College of Art (then Delhi Polytechnic) in 1964, he started teaching at Triveni Kala Sangam three years later. In 1968, he was appointed the head of the department at Triveni. Since then, there?s been no looking back and his stature as a painter has grown.

Vasundhara Tewari started studying law but decided to switch tracks when she realised that she wanted to be a painter. She quit the law course after a year and joined the College of Art, Delhi University in 1978. During this period, she not only participated in several exhibitions but also evolved as an artist.

Rameshwar on Vasundhara

I met Vasundhara when she was my student at Triveni Kala Sangam in the 1970s. Our getting to know each other was a very slow process. At the time we tied the knot, I was going through a rough patch for I had just separated from my first wife. Vasundhara provided me emotional support.

I am an introvert and a person who believes in staying at home. On the other hand, my wife is an extrovert who loves going out. While in the initial couple of years, we had disagreements because of this, now things have settled down. I can stay at home and work on my computer, paint or listen to music which I love. Meanwhile, Vasundhara does her own thing ? go out for movies or shopping with friends and relatives. I steer clear of the malls and shops as I consider myself very clumsy when it comes to shopping.

Both Vasundhara and I love to travel. We especially enjoy driving out of Delhi. So the many trips that I have taken with my wife hold a special place in my memories. I remember one time, we visited a place called Tabo nestled in the Himalayas. It is far ahead of Shimla and it?s only when you have reached Tabo that you realise Shimla holds little charm. Moreover, it is a place which people rarely visit. While driving to Tabo, we had to make frequent stops. There was a certain thrill to the whole experience.

Right now life is very good and more than satisfactory with Vasundhara. There have never been any problems regarding my earlier relationship because my former wife has never disturbed me. I?m the reserved type ? one who doesn?t like to show his feelings too much. Vasundhara and I don?t really have violent fights. Of course, there might be differences on some issues, but we always take the time out to talk them over sensibly.

When it comes to art, we are both extremely broadminded. And since Vasundhara has been my student, she always listens to my thoughts and views on the subject.

Vasundhara on Rameshwar

Rameshwar used to be my teacher. As I trained under him, I slowly grew close to him. It was only in 1995 that we got married. There was no formal courtship though. It was just a natural process of growing together in our relationship.

Both of us are deeply into art. We love our work, travelling and being together. We aren?t party people. When we celebrate our birthdays and anniversary, it usually is a private affair. The normal, small things that we do together are very dear to me.

In every relationship, there are obvious differences and the occasional ups and downs. We too have had our share and still go through such uncomfortable moments. I should say that between the two of us, it?s my husband who is the more volatile. Not that he screams and shouts, but he just expresses himself while I clam up and wait for things to quieten down. Occasionally, he makes the first move towards a peace treaty, otherwise it is me. It?s not possible to keep sulking for long with each other in a relationship, for the need to be together is too strong. Moreover, Rameshwar has an immense capacity for sympathy.

Though both of us are artists, luckily none of us are fastidious about things ? be it at home or be it about formal obligations. In some basic sense, our likes and dislikes meet somewhere.

The best part about our relationship: we let each other be. We are different in the sense that while he loves to stay at home, I like going out. I don?t expect much from Rameshwar. Though we spend most of our time together, there are things we do on our own.