His eternal tryst with art

P. Manickavachagam’s prolific talent straddles many genres and techniques with ease

July 11, 2014 05:16 pm | Updated 05:55 pm IST

P.Manickavasagam shows some of his paintings related to the Srirangam temple. Photo: B.Velankanni Raj

P.Manickavasagam shows some of his paintings related to the Srirangam temple. Photo: B.Velankanni Raj

Even a stick figure can show emotion. As long as the artwork communicates to the viewer, any technique will do,” says P. Manickavachagam, Associate Professor in Fine Arts at the National Institute of Technology Tiruchirapalli’s Department of Architecture.

In his journey towards a career in art, Manickavachagam started off as a telephone operator, veered into commercial graphics and book wrapper design and yet has found time to experiment with technique and topics in as many as 30 exhibitions and lecture-demonstrations to date.

“I never stick to one genre or style, and that is both a plus point and minus point for me,” he says, as he shows visitors around the studio-cum-classroom at the NITT campus on a recent afternoon.

Easels with artwork in both abstract and realistic themes – temple architecture, pastoral markets, the fluidity of the female form engaged in song and dance, among others – showcase Manickavachagam’s prolific talent.

As a teacher

His ink and paint renderings of Tiruchi’s landmarks – the Rock Fort and temples surrounding the city, show his unerring eye for detail. In an unusual assignment, he designed the painting for the 1997 Guinness record-winning cross-stitch pattern of the Srirangam temple’s Rajagopuram for the Tiruchi Innovative Ladies United Needlework Association (Tiluna).

With a brief to teach visual arts appreciation to architecture students since 1987 at the NITT, Manickavachagam says, “Architectural design requires a passionate art teacher. Even though 25-26 years have passed, I feel every class is a new experience. Some of my students have even gone for fine art studies after qualifying in architectural design.”

Among his students is Vanitha Rangaraju-Ramanan, an Indian animator who works for Industrial Light and Magic. She was part of the team that won an Academy award in 2002 for Best Animated Feature for the movie Shrek , for which she was credited as lighting technical director.

Building right

There are many job opportunities in this field provided the student has the aptitude, says Manickavachagam. “Art education is not propagated very well in our country,” he rues, despite our long tradition of artistry.

As for the modern cityscape that has led to a proliferation of cookie-cutter glass-and-chrome buildings, Manickavachagam opines, “the multinational companies want their franchisee structures to reflect what is there in the home country. But you can’t survive in the modern buildings without air-conditioning. Modern eco-friendly building practices are making an entry only now in India, whereas the British had already thought of natural ventilation centuries ago.”

As he nears retirement, Manickavachagam mulls more ways to take up art as a full-time pursuit. He also hopes to publish a book of his line drawings on the human form. He is happy that both his son and daughter are actively involved in art as well.

“I have been very lucky to have had so much encouragement from my colleagues early on in my career. They have a big role in my success and growth as an artist,” he concludes.

Biography

Early days

Born in 1951, in a village near Udumalpet, Coimbatore district, P.Manickavachagam was trained first by his goldsmith father and later by the sthapathi (temple architect and sculptor) Rajagopal, a 1950s alumnus of the Kumbakonam School of Fine Art.

Started working as a telephone operator in 1970 straight after school (Ramakrishna Mission, Coimbatore) even though he graduated with twin certifications in teaching and art education. “At that time, a teaching job used to pay Rs.90, whereas a central government posting paid Rs. 110,” he explains.

Education

Graduated in Fine Arts in Painting, Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, 1985

Post-Graduate Diploma in Painting, Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, 1986

Master of Art in History,1995

Awards

Victoria Technical Institute Award, 1982

Dassarah Exhibition Award, 2005

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