When we think of the quirky and unforgettable characters of Charles Dickens and their hold over British readerly imagination in the 19th century, we wholeheartedly pay tribute – and rightly so – to the impeccable writing skill of Dickens as an author but what we often fail to acknowledge is the role of illustrators like Hablot Brown, Fred Barnard, and others in bringing the author’s characters to life that shapes the aesthetic experience of engaging with the narrative. In today’s article, we look at one of India’s most beloved illustrators and cartoonists, Namboothiri, who passed away this year in July leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Courtesy of The Hindu
Born on 13 September 1925 in Malappuram district of Kerala, Karuvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri, better known as Artist Namboothiri or simply Namboothiri, was an artist who was at home in many realms of art. A Painter, illustrator, cartoonist, art director and sculptor, Namboothiri was a crucial figure in Kerela’s socio-cultural scenario. As a child, he was influenced by the sculptures at the Sukapuram temple near his house. He says, “I had this urge to draw and mould sculptures after seeing these.” Later, seeing his interest in drawing, the famous sculptor and painter Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiri took him to Madras College of Fine Arts, where he had the opportunity to study under Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury, the founder and principal of the institution, and S. Dhanapal. It was during this period that he came into contact with K. C. S. Paniker, who would exercise influence over the young artist.
Bhima from Randamoozam. Courtesy of OnManorama
Namboothiri secured two diplomas, one in fine arts and the other in applied arts, from the Government College of Fine Arts in 1954 and after staying at Cholamandal Artists’ Village of K. C. S. Paniker where he completed a six-year course in one year, he returned to Kerala to join the newspaper Mathrubhumi as a staff artist in 1960. His stint with the newspaper started with a pocket cartoon, ‘Naniyammayum Lokavum’ which became very popular. It was also during his time in Mathrubhumi that he began illustrating the literary works of most of the major writers in Malayalam. Throughout his career, he illustrated for stalwarts like Thakazhy Shivasankara Pillai, Kesavadev, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Uroob, S. K. Pottekkatt, Edasseri Govindan Nair, and V.K.N.
From Left: VKN, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Namboothiri. Courtesy of OnManorama
In 1982, he moved to news magazine Kalakaumudi where he provided illustrations before shifting to The New Indian Express’s newsweekly, Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika. He did some of his most notable drawings at Kalakaumudi when he illustrated the novel Randamoozham by M. T. Vasudevan Nair in 1984. An often-quoted statement of M T Vasudevan regarding Namboothiri’s illustration of Bhima from the novel is that “People did not see my Bhima in ‘Randamoozham’, but his.” Namboothiri had sketched Bhima with a large body and a small head, conveying complex emotions in just a squiggle of the eyebrow or a tilt in the gait. He drew inspiration from the Chola and Pallava sculptures, and those from Mahabalipuram, Ajanta, and Ellora. Keeping temple structures in view, he modified his view and recreated Bhima and others in the book.
Describing his preparation for the sketches he says, “While sketching characters, I’ve often felt that they must be people I’ve met and known. We meet so many people everyday who influence us. So this was a natural progression. Although, while re-imagining characters in ‘Randamoozham’, I had to think through them. Even though M T Vasudevan Nair attempted to humanise his protagonists, they had to look more than human.”
Courtesy of Times of India.
His command over the pen brought about distinctive, evocative lines that earned him the title of the ‘Paramashivm’ of line sketches by the celebrated writer V.K.N. Though his works seem simple and effortless, they are extremely complex and detailed, giving an illusory depth through the use of perspective to his linear representations of human mass and volume on the flat surface of the paper or canvas. ‘Line drawings were my forte; lines can bring about a three-dimensional character to structures on flat surfaces unlike other drawings.’ Namboothiri said during an exclusive interview with Onmanorama.
Copper Relief was done by Namboothiri. Courtesy of OnManorama.
Namboothiri has left his mark not only in his sketches but also in other forms of art. Among his copper relief works, he has created a series based on various events from Mahabharata, entitled Lohabharata, and another based on Parayi Petta Panthirukulam. He had created a few large sculptures for Cholamandal which include Modern Family on a Scooter and Maithuna as well as a 500 ft (150 m) long outdoor drawing featuring incidents from the Indian freedom movement. He also worked with film director and cartoonist G. Aravindan on the film Uttarayanam. The film went on to receive five Kerala State Film Awards in 1974, including the Award for Best Art Director for Namboothiri. During his later years, he embarked on a self-appointed mission of pictorially documenting the cities of Kerala. The project, entitled Nagarangal (The Cities), began with Kochi.
Scene from Adi Shankaracharya’s Soundaryalahiri. Courtesy of Mohanlal Art Gallery.
The Malayali superstar Mohanlal has been an admirer and collector of Namboothiri’s work for a long. Once he had commissioned a piece on a verse from Adi Shankaracharya’s Soundaryalahiri which he believed nobody in the world could ever paint given the beauty of the verse. Namboothiri took up the challenge and after many years created the painting which totally ravished the actor.
An artist who was close to the hearts and imagination of the people of Kerela, what strikes one at once as odd and immeasurably surprising is how humble he was. “When I look back, it all feels like a miracle. Nothing of what I have was aspired for, not even dreamt” says the man who created new pathways in the visual landscape of Kerala.
References
- The Hindu- Artist Namboothiri
- The Hindu- A Thrissur gallery pays tribute to the legendary artist Namboothiri still painting at 97
- Abir Pothi- Artist Namboothiri Doyen of Drawings Sketched Malayali Life Passed Away
- Onmanorama- Artist Namboothiri Dies
- Onmanorama- Artist Namboothiri sketches that brought Bheema and Payyans to Life
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