Events

Events & Thoughts


1974 - BLESSINGS FROM KANCHI MAHA SWAMIGAL

I have the pleasure and privilege to put on record the auspicious event which took place in 1974. Before starting my career as a professional portrait artist in Madras (Chennai) we (my family) started on tour to visit some holy places including Kancheepuram. There we visited all main temples and wanted to have dharshan and blessings of MAHA PERIYAVA . Luckily, he was not on tour at that time and so we could make it. We, some 15 people were waiting for his dharshan. After some time Swamigal came out with a smile in his face.

But, I couldn't study his face properly as the distance where Swamigal was standing was too much for that. So, introducing myself as an artist, I requested the priest to convey my willingness to Periyava to move a few more steps towards the devotees to have a close look of Swamigal as an artist. The priest was very much understanding about my interest and immediately approached Periyava to convey my intention as an artist. Next minute that miracle took place! Yes, responding so graciously to my request Peryava came close to the devotees assembled there. It was a small room with insufficient light. Surprisingly, the priest put on the light and we all gathered there were full of joy enchanting 'JAYA JAYA SANKARA'....when we saw Peryava in the glowing light! We all enjoyed the moment with great devotion and bhakthi. Actually, I can't describe by words what exactly we felt. But, one thing I can say definitely that we all assembled there were extremely happy and felt a sense of fulfillment! One devotee went on saying.... "We all had close dharshan of Periyaval just because of you. We thank you.Your future will be bright". I have painted two portraits of Swamigal. Both were purchased by devotees.
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1964

This painting was done from a still photo (Film : SANTHI) published by Pesumpadam, the popular Cine magazine at that time in 1964. As an ardent fan of Nadigar Thilagam I painted this portrait and it was appreciated by many. I have great pleasure in presenting the beautiful painting here. Whenever I see this portrait the lines of the popular song - YAR INTHA NILAVU, YEN INTHA KANAVU.....will be ringing in my ears. Most of the film goers of 60's should be familiar with the song and sequence of that film which ran successfully. I heard that Sivaji took time to appear before camera for the shooting of the song. It is such a significant song ! The middle picture is a still from the film Veerapandia Kattabomman and the photo on the right shows Sivaji proudly showing the AWARD to his beloved mother which he received in Cairo film festival for his spectacular performance in the film.

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1979

This photo of mine reminds me of the event in 1979. Met Poet Laurette Kannadasan at a meeting in the neighborhood and invited him to visit my studio. He so kindly responded and viewed my paintings. He remarked: " Romba Nalla Irukku - All the paintings are very fine. I shall write about you soon" and asked me to meet him at his residence. At that time I had no recently taken photo to publish along with the article. So, next day I went to a nearby studio at Adyar and got this photo. I handed over all necessary materials with this photo for publication and was anxiously waiting to see the article in printing. Days passed by, but unfortunately the expected article never appeared. It was a disappointment to me. I had to console myself with his visit to my studio. Definitely, the incidence was an inspiration giving me a sense of fulfilment. Later I guessed : He was so impressed to say that, but later he should have thought it would not be appropriate to write about a person, so soon after the first meeting, that too by my own introduction. It's quite natural.....

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1976

This photo shows the portrait of Sri.Fakhrudin Ali Ahmed (painted by me) being presented as a gift to the President by 'Sheriff' R. Ramakrishnan, when the President visited Madras (Chennai ) in 1976. This happened just one year after starting my career as a portrait artist. 'President greatly appreciated the portrait', wrote 'The Hindu'. This photograph was published in 'The Indian Express'. It was a great feeling for me. Mr.R.Ramakrishnan showed great interest in my career at the initial stage which was very valuable for me.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1985

I painted this portrait of Smt.Indira Gandhi soon after the assassination in 1984. When I learned about the forthcoming visit to Madras in July,1985, I wrote to Shri.Rajiv Gandhi, requesting him to accept the portrait as my gift when he visits Madras.I mentioned some references in the letter.

I was very happy to know my name was included as one of the nine appointees to meet the P.M, face to face at Raj Bhavan in July15,1985. A rare honour to be seated in between Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale( Founder, Kalakshetra) and Thiru.Venkatakrishnan, Vice- Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur while waiting to meet the Prime Minister.. 'It's very nice' was the comment from Sri. Rajiv Gandhi. I had a sense of fulfilment. A moment to cherish.
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1986

I got the good opportunity to paint the portrait of Thiru. T.K. Shanmugam, the great Dramatist and the noted actor Kamal Hassan's Guru on the occasion of his 75th Birth Day in 1986. I receive the memento from Kamal Hassan. Kalaivanan, son of T.K.Shanmugam is standing in between us. The portrait received high praises from one and all. The function was telecast in TV. Also, the portrait is shown at the beginning of the movie 'Avvai Shanmuki' as a mark of respect to Kamal's Guru. The frame was changed, later. You can view the portrait in a video by clicking the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvNyZ8SyeV8 In case of any difficulty to link, please copy and paste on the address-bar.

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1997

Unveiling ceremony of the portrait of VS Venkatarama Rao, Harikatha Exponent at Music Academy


This happened in 1997. I painted the portrait and was unveiled by A.C,Muthiah. This is one of my finest portraits. I'm particularly happy that the function was attended by 'Bharat Ratna' M.S. Subbulakshmi and the event took place at the prestigious Music Academy . In western countries they won't miss out the name of the artist when such news and photos published. Moreover,the artist will be invited for Unveiling ceremony as a mark of respect for the creator. Unfortunately, here they don't do that.

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2006

Best Day in My Life

A moment to cherish. An artist himself H.E. Sri. Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamil Nadu. showed great interest to visit my studio when I invited. And, promptly visited my studio and honored me on March 31, 2006. I should say this is the best day in my career. I feel very proud about this event.I take it as a reward to my dedication as a portrait artist and a honor done to the whole artist community.

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2007 LETTER FROM GOVERNOR



This is a personal letter (just click on personal Letter for enlarged view) from

the Governor which I received after a year since

I painted the portrait of the Governor. I consider this yet another honour, I have

received in recognition of my work in the field of portrait painting. This is the most

prestigious assignment letter I have ever received.

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SIR CP RAMASWAMI AIYER - 1964


Originally this was a pencil sketch and It looked better

when I received the autograph.

One friend of mine from my native place, Thankappan, a teacher, helped

me to approach the dias to make it possible, when I was hesitatingly waiting

as there was huge crowd around him.

A Religious meeting was organised by local people at Lakshmi Talkies,

Meenakshipuram, Nagercoil (1964) where Sir CP Ramaswami Aiyar was the

the special invitee. I wanted to utilise the opportunity to meet him to receive

his blessings with an autograph on this sketch done by me for this purpose

already.. Perhaps I would not have got it done if my friend didn't take interest

in this matter! I was very happy. It was a great feeling.

Thank you, Thankappannan!



I wish to mention here that I could manage to receive autographs from the

following distinguished personalities other than this great man.

TK SHANMUGAM - Stalwart of Drama

Semmangudi SRINIVASA iYER - Great Musician

MA PO SI - Tamil Scholar, Freedom Fighter, Social reformer



When I received autograph from TK Shanmugam in 1962 I had no idea

that one day I will paint his portrait and it will be displayed proudly by his

disciple Kamal Hassan at the opening of his movie - Avvai Shanmuki.

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PENCIL SKETCHES







SELVI DR J JAYALALITHA BARACK OBAMA





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1989

PORTRAIT FOR ILAYARAJA

The whole Tamil Nadu is celebrating Ilayaraja1000 with great joy and pride. I would like to take this proud moment to share with you my experience I had with the Maestro in 1989. I am an ardent fan of Ilayaraja. As such, I wanted to do at least one portrait for Ilayaraja whatever it be and earn his appreciation for my work from Isai Gnani who had already earned millions of fans and well - wishers. In fact, I wanted a portrait to be presented as my gift. But, I was afraid, it would be taken lightly. For a professional artist getting a portrait commission from a celebrity like him has more impact for his career. So, decided to meet him and receive a portrait commission by impressing him with my portfolio. When he was seeing one by one I found from his face that he was pleased with my work. But, at the end he simply said," I shall contact you some time later". It was a disappointment to me. Leaving my card with him I left with out much hope.I thought he had no interest for paintings, and gradually forgot this incidence.



After one year, one fine morning, I found some people in front of my house saying they were coming from Ilayaraja's office. They were sent by Ilayaraja with a message that he wants to see me at his office tomorrow. It was a pleasant surprise for me . Also they said they couldn't trace out the card given by me a year ago and with some difficulty they found . Next day met him at his office at Prasad Studios, He don't use table, chair etc... He was sitting on the floor in the corner of the room with good lighting through window. I liked the ambiance and the proud moment sitting with a great musician for whom I had great admiration. He showed me a reproduction of a painting by a great artist and asked me to do like that.I guaranteed a good work.Then he asked me to go to his house with his assistant to receive the necessary photo for doing the portrait. I met Tmt. Ilayaraja and received the photo of Sri Ramana Mahirishi with advance.This is yet another day to remember.

Now, I have the great satisfaction of earning the appreciation of a great musician whose music is appreciated and admired by millions all over the world.

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U.S CONNECT



Letter from a leading portrait artist from U.S

M. Prasanna Kumar,

Thanks for your note! Your work is very good! I hope to meet you sometime. You might try joining the Portrait Society, entering their competitions, and even coming to the annual seminar. This spring it will be in Atlanta.
Thanks!
Rich
Richard Christian Nelson


Studio: 828-859-0318

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A Letter from Hollywood

Katie Weaver
kweaver1020@hotmail.com

Subject:
Original Artwork - Pope Paul VI

Message:
I am the set decorating coordinator on "The Three Stooges" film by Twentieth Century Fox. One of our sets is an orphanage run by nuns and we are interested in the painting of Pope Paul VI. Please contact me with a price
and if you are willing to give permission for us to film your artwork.

Thank you.

Katie Weaver

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INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN EXHIBITION in NEW YORK

Dear M Prasanna,
Greetings from See.Me (formerly Artists Wanted)!
I have some exciting news. We have selected your work to be a part of a special international exhibition we are producing this summer titled “The Story of the Creative”.
This seven week exhibition will celebrate and display the works of pro level See.Me members from around the world, and your work has been selected to be shown!
You are invited to exhibit up to three images of your work within the newly installed digital exhibition room of our New York City gallery. The show opens on Thursday,
July 25h and will run through the Tuesday September 10th.

Thanks! We are excited to exhibit your work!

Emily K.
Community Director
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From:
Paks Gallery
management@paks-gallery.com

Subject:
Exhibition

Message:
Dear Prasanna Kumar,
Our curator team has seen your artworks and find these wonderful.
We invite you to participate in our exhibition, Art Fairs and Biennials
in Cannes, Basel, Carrousel du Louvre Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna as
also to be published in the Art Book and with an interview in Art Magazine.
If You have an interest, please contact us:
management@paks-gallery.com
best regards,
Curator team
PAKS Gallery
www.paks-gallery.com


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I feel proud of the above letters and remember the following words of Maha Kavi Bharathiar.

"Thiramaana pulamayenil velinattorum athai vanakkam cheithal vendum."..


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An incidence in the life of Raja Ravi Varma

Once the Governor who was in charge of south India, residing in Madras, went to meet the Maharaja of Travancore.

While they were engaged in conversation the Governor expressed his willingness to meet Raja Ravi Varma for whom

he had much admiration and respect. When Ravi Varma came Maharaja was standing as the Governor was sitting in

a chair. Governor asked the artist to sit. But, Ravi Varma denied to sit saying he wouldn't sit when Maharaja was



standing. Finally, Governor also stood and they three were engaged in the conversation about art and the works of

Ravi Varma in particular for some time. This was the kind of respect he had earned for his work in his own life-time.

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Tribute to Ravivarma from Bharathiar when he passed away

"At a time when genuine arts were very rare to be found Raja Ravi Varma entered the art world to paint many exquisite

paintings.Without caring for the pleasures and privileges of the royal life he preferred to become a great artist and he

succeeded to become one. His paintings won accolades from many dignitaries like maharajas and governors. If such

great artists were born in France or England he should have been adored and much respected. But, here in India he

couldn't get his due recognition and honor.

He had much concern for poor people who couldn't afford to buy his original works and so he printed his paintings and made it available for

cheap price. Thus his paintings, both prints and originals could be found in little huts and in big palaces as well.. His passing away indeed a

great loss to the art world. This great artist was 58 when passed away. If even artists like Ravi Varma has to die one day, what to say about

the mystery of human life! It is heartening to see some artists are emerging from his family".

Translated from the book - BHARATHI DHARISANAM

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A rare tribute to Michelangelo


" I would gladly surrender some of my own years and blood to prolong Michelangelo's life,
so that the world would not be deprived too soon of the sculptor's genius" -

Pope Julius- II, who understood this genius thoroughly and commissioned to paint the
famous Sistine Chapel ceiling, WHICH HAD TURNED OUT TO BE A MASTER WORK,

APPRECIATED BY ALL ART LOVERS AROUND THE WORLD. In fact, the artist started the work
with much hesitation saying 'Im a sculptor, not painter' when the project was entrusted to him by
the Pope.
Read more about this artist at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo

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1972

I'm posting the freshly typed letter, copy of the original letter published

in "The Indian Express"

in 1972 for your easy reading.

I hope you like the contents which are still relevant.
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ENCOURAGING ARTISTS

Sir, I read with interest your editorial "Inquiry into culture" in your issue dated Aug.11.
I wish to congratulate you for the timely thought over this matter. I would also like to express
my appreciation of the Andhra Pradesh Government's keen efforts for promoting our culture.
It is high time the central Government itself should intervene and reconstitute the Academies
and made a fresh approach.
I agree with you as an artist that the twenty-five years of Independence have been rather
barren in the cultural field. As you have mentioned, except for bringing out some books what
worthwhile things have been done by the Lalit Kala Academy?
By arranging exhibitions and giving awards every year they are encouraging particularly
Modern artists (Cubists, Impressionists etc..).
We know who these modern artists are. Once the famous cubist artist Picasso remarked:
" When I am alone with myself I have not the courage to consider myself as an artist in the great
sense of the word. I am only a public entertainer who has understood his time."
How is it possible to promote art and culture by encouraging such artists? The Academy
should take steps to find out artists with real abilities.- Portrait painters, Landscape painters etc..
- throughout the country.
Only classical art and creators of this kind of art should be encouraged. Nobody can deny
that art can play an important role in moulding the character of the people. Art can evoke reverence
for the dignity of man and only real art can do this.
If the academy is to do any thing useful really for the promotion of art and culture, I would
like to suggest that it should organise"Touring Exhibitions" of old classical masters and modern
artists of real ability. Such exhibitions may be organised in district centres once a year.
Unlike the other developed countries the number of Art galleries in our country is very few.
The proposed Touring Exhibitions can do considerable service in compensating for the lack of Art
Galleries. This would bring the general public in contact with art and artists of our country.

M.PRASANNA

Thazhakudi
Kanyakumari Dt
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2017 50th Marriage Anniversary



We celebrated our 50th Marriage Anniversary on 07/05/17. My wife Suseela Kumar

had been very understanding and cooperative through out my career. If I could

achieve any thing in my career, though small, it was because of her valuable assistance

and support which I value much. She is a good critic too ! Thank you, my dear wife !

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2019