The Painting Exhibition of eminent artist, actor and orator Sivakumar was inaugurated yesterday at the prestigious Lalit Kala Academi by well-known artist and former Principal of Government College of Arts & Crafts Mr. Alphonso Das in the presence of Artist Mr. Sivakumar, Artist Mr. Maniam Selven, Artist Thiru AP. Shreethar and Film Actor Karthi.
Artist Sivakumar has drawn hundreds of paintings during the period 1958 to 1965 and preserved them. This exhibition comprises of select 100 paintings out of them, sketched during that period. The collection comprises variety of drawings including pencil drawings to crayon sketches to watercolor paintings, oil paintings and portrait sketches of eminent personalities and many important locations across the country.
The painting exhibition is organized by Artist Sivakumar’s sons Mr. Suriya and Mr. Karthi as a part of the celebrations, on the occasion of completion of 75 glorious years by their father Artist Sivakumar on October 27, 2016.
Commenting on the painting exhibition, Artist Sivakumar mentioned, “The period 1959 to 1965 was the best period in my life when I studied at Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai. My feelings were akin to that of a dove that leaves its cage for the very first time and spreads its wings in flight in the wide open skies, experiencing great awe and wonderment! The six years that I spent in that College, with peers, both boys and girls of my age, who were equally talented in the Arts, was undoubtedly the springtime of my life!
With no qualms about any future plans, at the break of dawn, with just a paper and brush, like a nomad I wandered the streets of Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, Tanjore, Kanyakumari,
Tirupati, Tiruvannamalai, Ajanta-Ellora, Delhi and Agra, drawing sketches, eating only what I was able to get and sleeping on platforms for many days. I adore those sketches and paintings as much as my own children!
The total cost of wandering all over India for seven years and drawing my sketches, was a mere seven thousand and five hundred rupees. Compare that to the present day – the cost of lunch for a family at a five-star hotel alone is more than ten thousand rupees! Though to survive, I ate three simple meals a day, owned only few sets of clothing and slept on the floor much like a sparrow or saint, those years remain precious to me as I had noble goals and felt proud about my achievements through paintings.
I am delighted my sons Suriya and Karthi have taken up the responsibility to organize this painting exhibition on the occasion of me completing 75 years, after 50 years of drawing those sketches and giving me the biggest happiness in my life. I feel reborn with my art being celebrated, about which I was always proud more than my any other achievements. I will be happy if the future generation is benefited through this painting exhibition.”
Sivakumar is delighted by Suriya and Karthi
