Thota Vaikuntam was born in 1942 in Telangana.

In 1970 Vaikuntam received his Diploma in Painting from the College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad. In 1971 - 1972 he won the Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship and he studied painting and printmaking at M. S. University, Baroda.

He has had several solo shows in India and overseas:
In 1972, 1973, 1975 - 1977 and 1985 he had solo exhibitions at Kala Bhavan, Hyderabad. In 2004 he exhibited at Kuhu Art Gallery, London and in Mumbai. In 2005 he had a solo exhibition ‘Telangana Men and Women’ at Arts India, California. In 2007 he exhibited ‘Yes, I am He’ at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 2011 he had a solo show ‘Metamorphosis: The Changing World of Thota Vaikuntam’ at Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi. In 2015 he exhibited solo at Grosvenor Gallery, London.

Vaikuntam has participated in several group shows in India and overseas:
In 1988 - 1989 he participated in a group show at Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad. In 1989 he participated in a group show at Max Muller Bhavan, Mumbai. In 1992 he participated in a group show ‘Help Age India’ at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 1993 he took part in the Silver Jubilee exhibition at Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Mumbai. In 1994 he participated in ‘India Encounter II’ at Lee Arthur Studio, New York. In 1995 he participated in a group show at The Gallery, Singapore. In 1996 he participated in ‘Chamatkara – Myth and Magic in India Art’ at Whitley’s Art Gallery, London. In 2004 he participated in ‘Confluence’ at Arts India, California. In 2005 he participated in a group show ‘Evoking Rasa in Luminous Visions, Indian Art’ at Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts. In 2006 he participated in a group show at Arts Pilgrim, London and in 1 x 1 Gallery, Dubai. In 2008 he participated in ‘Post Independence Masters’ at Aicon Gallery, New York. In 2010 and 2011 he participated in group shows ‘Figure/Landscape Part One & Two’ at Aicon Gallery in London & New York.

He received many awards:
In 1979 he received awards from Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore; Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata and Mahakoshal Kala Samithi, Madhya Pradesh. In 1975 - 1977, 1982 - 1983 and 1985 he received awards from Andhra Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy. In 1988 - 1989 and 1998 he won the Biennale Award at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal. In 1993 he won the National Award for painting from the Government of India.

Vaikuntam’s works are in several private and corporate collections in India and overseas.

He lives and works in Hyderabad.