Vaddadi Papaiah, surname sometimes spelt Papayya, pen-name Vapa, was a painter and illustrator for Telugu magazines, known especially for his covers for the children"s magazine Chandamama.
Background
He was born on 10 September 1921 at Srikakulam in Srikakulam district. His father was a Drawing teacher. He learnt many skills in drawing from his father.
By the inspiration of the picture "Kodanda Rama" which was drawn by the famous artist Ravivarma he drawn the picture of "Hanuma".In his childhood days his father listened him the ethics "Mahabharatha" and "Ramayana".
Career
Vaddadi Papaiah(telugu:వడ్డాది పాపయ్య) was a famous artist in India. At the age of 5years he started his career. By the effect of ethics he developed his interest in "Indian sculpture" and "Art".He also had a best friend sai charan who is born in kurnool.He helped him a lot,and the people say that charan was a wonderful painter than papaiah.
He started illustrating for Chandamama c.
1961, and continued do so for many years, painting front & back covers inspired by scenes from Indian mythology and Sanskrit plays. He also did covers for the magazines Yuva and Telugu Naadi.
Vapa"s art appears in the Chandamama Art Book, a two-volume publication in which the second volume is devoted to his work.