This image was posted on Instagram by surya_sivakumar
Chennai:
South superstar Suriya, along with actor-brother Karthi, has put together a unique 75th birthday gift for their father, veteran film actor Sivakumar. A 3-day exhibition of Sivakumar's artworks will be on display at the Lalit Kala Academy, Chennai, from October 24. In an exclusive chat from Georgia, (where the actor is shooting for Singam 3), Suriya tells us why the event is close to his heart:
"Appa's first identity was that of an artist long before he became an actor. He started painting from the age of 12 right up till his '20s. In fact, he left his village and came to Madras to pursue his passion for art. But he couldn't procure admission in the famed Government College of Fine Arts on time. In the interim, he happened to meet the legendary thespian Sivaji Ganesan who saw his paintings. Spotting his inherent talent, he suggested that Appa join Mohan Arts as a painter so that he could further enhance his skills and not waste time while waiting for admission in the Fine Arts college. At Mohan Arts, Appa worked hard and learnt several new techniques while painting giant hoardings. Later when he joined the Arts College finally, many were impressed with his knowledge and existing body of work," says Suriya.
"He looks after his art like babies and has never showcased them like this before. We were lucky to get a team to digitally preserve over 400 paintings. In his youth, he would take off on a cycle and has travelled all over India to do many spot paintings of monuments and landscapes in the scorching sun. It's rare nowadays to find such a mix of portraits and spot paintings by a single artist in mixed mediums. Most people have turned to modern art. This is legacy which we as his children, want to preserve and showcase. The exhibition will be a good platform for art lovers to interact over his work. He will be present there on all the days," says Suriya.
While Karthi inaugurates the exhibition in the presence of leading artists, Suriya will be present on the closing day.
A tribute to their Appa with love, the exhibition is a befitting 75th birthday gift indeed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Image Courtesy: iFlickz
"Appa's first identity was that of an artist long before he became an actor. He started painting from the age of 12 right up till his '20s. In fact, he left his village and came to Madras to pursue his passion for art. But he couldn't procure admission in the famed Government College of Fine Arts on time. In the interim, he happened to meet the legendary thespian Sivaji Ganesan who saw his paintings. Spotting his inherent talent, he suggested that Appa join Mohan Arts as a painter so that he could further enhance his skills and not waste time while waiting for admission in the Fine Arts college. At Mohan Arts, Appa worked hard and learnt several new techniques while painting giant hoardings. Later when he joined the Arts College finally, many were impressed with his knowledge and existing body of work," says Suriya.
Image Courtesy: iFlickz
"He looks after his art like babies and has never showcased them like this before. We were lucky to get a team to digitally preserve over 400 paintings. In his youth, he would take off on a cycle and has travelled all over India to do many spot paintings of monuments and landscapes in the scorching sun. It's rare nowadays to find such a mix of portraits and spot paintings by a single artist in mixed mediums. Most people have turned to modern art. This is legacy which we as his children, want to preserve and showcase. The exhibition will be a good platform for art lovers to interact over his work. He will be present there on all the days," says Suriya.
Image Courtesy: iFlickz
While Karthi inaugurates the exhibition in the presence of leading artists, Suriya will be present on the closing day.
A tribute to their Appa with love, the exhibition is a befitting 75th birthday gift indeed.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
