On Friday, artist K M Vasudevan Namboothiri died at 97 due to old age, know his family and biography
He defied expectations to give his numerous sketches a legendary quality.ย
Artist K M Vasudevan Namboothiri death reason, biography, age, family, wife, profile, works, paintings, hometown
K M Vasudevan Namboothir was receiving care for age-related illnesses at a private hospital in Kottakkal. The master of line sketching was the artist lovingly known as Namboothiri.ย
He stood for the most illustrious period in Kerala’s sculpture and art history. Namboothiri’s illustrations helped bring many of the finest characters in Malayalam literature to life. “People saw his Bhima in ‘Randamoozham, not mine,” claimed M T Vasudevan Nair. The ‘Paramashivan’ of line drawings, according to VKN.ย
He stormed into the art scene at a time when readers and illustrators couldn’t imagine beyond Raja Ravi Varmaโs artistry. He rejuvenated Keralaโs heritage mainly with his line drawings.
He made his mark with his works in wood, metal, stone, cement, and clay, in addition to his choice of colour palette. In addition, Namboothiri’s artwork expressed the brevity and purity of existence.
Who is K M Vasudevan Namboothiri?
Born in 1925, he began painting at a very young age. His parents are Parameswaran Namboothiri and Sridevi Antharjanam. He belongs to Ponnani’s Karuvattu Illam. As a child, he studied traditional medicine and Sanskrit. He started making line drawings with charcoal on the sand in the temple courtyard and the walls of his home.
Namboothiri was married to Mrinalini and the couple had two sons, Parameshawaran and Vasudevan and the family lived in Naduvattam in Malappuram district.
Famous artist and sculptor Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiri brought him to the Madras College of Fine Arts after noticing his interest in drawing. He studied under prominent figures there, including K C S Panicker, Roy Chaudhary, and S Dhanapal. When Panicker founded Kalagram in Cholamandalam, they were very good friends.
Namboothiriโs Carrer
When he returned to Kerala in 1960, he joined Mathrubhumi. Legendary authors such as MT and VKN had their novels and short tales drawn by him.
Additionally, he worked in Samakalila and Kalakaumudi Malayalam. It goes without saying that authors wanted Namboothiri to illustrate their stories and books, including MT. Namboothiri’s illustrations helped several books that are today regarded as pillars of Malayalam literature reach viewers.ย
Namboothiriโs Well-Known Works
He is well known for his illustrations for the books “Randamoozham” by MT and “Pithamahan and Payyan Kathakal” by VKN.
His paintings are also quite well-known, much like his sketches. Mohanlal is among the famous people who enjoy Namboothiri.
At Mohanlal’s request, he created a well-known artwork based on Shankaracharya’s Soundaryalahari.
He also served as the art director for the well-known director Aravindan’s films “Kanchanaseeta” and “Uttarayanam,” for which he received a prize for outstanding art direction.ย
His language proficiency was also demonstrated by his autobiography, which was published in Bhashaposhini. It is a literary journal from the Malayala Manorama stable. He served as the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi’s president.
Awards and Accreditations Of Namboothiri
He has won numerous awards, including the State Institute of Children’s Literature’s Children’s Literature Award and the Raja Ravi Varma Award created by the Kerala Lalithaka Akademi.ย
#Farewell to the Worldโs renowned #illustrator,#painter,#sculptorโฆ#Artistย #Namboothiri pic.twitter.com/MRFrdnJwsO
— Jayaraj (@jayaraj_films) July 7, 2023
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