The French connection
Akhithama Narayhanan
The Paris-based Indian artist Akhitham Narayanan's 37th one-man show was held recently at the Alliance Francaise Gallery in Delhi. The show was of Akhitham's neotantric works.
Born in 1939 in Kerala, he got his Diploma in Fine Arts from the School of Arts at Chennai in 1961. He spoke to A.K. Mittal briefly before flying back home.
Q: Why did you choose painting as a vocation?
A: I was a singer a long time back. I was also interested in handicrafts when very young. I enjoyed carpentry and made many small objects. In school I started painting. I also acted in some school plays. During those days I won the first prize for acting. But when I got a scholarship after my school finals to study art, I knew I had found my vocation.
Q: What does a painter give to society?
A: I don't know. May be his views. May be a piece of what he thinks.
Q: Any regrets for settling in Paris?
A: (Emphatically), No, none at all. Initially I thought I must go back. Times have changed and going to India has become easy. Now one can go anywhere. Earlier it was not like that and one felt more nostalgic then. I earn more now and that facilitates travel.
Q: What are the differences between Indian and French galleries?
A: French Galleries take an artist under contract and build on him. They work with him for a few years. But now such galleries are very few.
Q: With globalisation Indian art is getting more and more popular in the U.S. and UK. What is it like in France?
A: (Quietly): It is getting popular now and every year more and more people know about it. It has arrived there.
Q: Any advice for new artists and art students?
A: They must take art seriously. It takes time to establish oneself and once that happens they must create confidence in one and all that they are serious.
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