This post is related one of the things that is very close to my heart - traditional paintings.
I developed my taste toward paintings during my schooldays - days when Gokulam had its centerpages filled with chithrakathai - stories by 'Rey' and art by 'Aazhi'. They were more than just cartoon strips, they were paintings themselves! I will never forget the expressions of Vishnus and Hiranyakasipus depicted in them.
The next level came through a magazine called 'Gopura Dharisanam Kodi Punniyam'. (If I ever have the capability) I will wish nooru kodi punniyam for this magazine, for it opened the gates for me to the world of paintings of Silpi. Silpi is a genius. Period. Something like Nammazhwar's 'Uyarvara uyarnalam udaiyavan yevanavan' (one who has greatness beyond which there can be no greater greatness). GDKP had(s?) numerous smaller pencil sketches of Silpi - it happened just like that - one fine day I was trying to examine the perfection that a painting of a pillar had and finally ended up being awestruck by the complex designs it had in it. I remembered to note whose painting it was, Silpi. Then came the reinstated Vikatan Deepavali Malar that had 6 or 7 paintings of Silpi. It took one full month for me to analyze the paintings and I instantly became a fan of Silpi (infact a devotee!). What amazes a person in Silpi's paintings (especially the ones of moolava murthams) -
1. Amazing clarity in even finer details of the vigraham - even when no tubelights were available
2. The perfect symmetry even in the minute designs available in the Thiruvasi
3. The way he paints those lions and swans in the thiruvasi
4. Flowers in the garland
5. The oil/vapour streaks in the walls
You need not visit a temple if you have had a darshan of Silpi's painting of that murthy. Sample attached.
How can one forget Kondaiah Raju of Kovilpatti - if we ever see Lord Srinivasa in our Puja room, it is because of him!
Other painters who have inspired me are Maniyam (his Arulmozhivarman of Ponniyin selvan), Maruthi (the way he paints eyes and eye brows for his heroines, samples can be seen in book stalls - cover page of Idhayam Penmani magazine), Je. Pi - the near match for Silpi in current period (of course only 50 - 60% match) and Padmavasan.
You need lot of patience to appreciate a good painting.
Ara.
Other painters who have inspired me are Maniyam (his Arulmozhivarman of Ponniyin selvan), Maruthi (the way he paints eyes and eye brows for his heroines, samples can be seen in book stalls - cover page of Idhayam Penmani magazine), Je. Pi - the near match for Silpi in current period (of course only 50 - 60% match) and Padmavasan.
You need lot of patience to appreciate a good painting.
Ara.
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