A math professor-turned artist depicts India’s art with flair. He is also the man who inspired his Malaysian brother-in-law to set up Artspace in Bangsar, KL. SHARMILA BILLOT writes.

AN entrepreneur with a passion for art. That’s Shivakumar Raju, who runs a dance studio and now an art gallery besides owning a trading company.

This stands to reason since he comes from an artistic family: his sister is an art advocate and his brother-in-law A.V. Ilango is a Chennai-based artist.

It was Ilango who persuaded Shiva to finally open an art gallery in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur called Artspace.

“I have been planning to open an art gallery for some time,” he said at the gallery’s recent launch.
“My sister was a great influence and Ilango’s work inspired me to appreciate artists of talent.

“When you don’t know much about art, all you want to see is a beautiful painting. But art is also about artistic expression. I like line painting, which might seem to be a simple form of art but it’s evolving. The colours and lines in it are outstanding and beautiful.

“I have observed Ilango painting and what I see is 25 years of experience reflected in his works.

“India’s art comes in classical, folk and contemporary styles. Artspace intends to showcase the richness of Indian art while also hosting local and regional cultural activities.

“The gallery will also have classes for new artists and those residing overseas.”

Ilango is a self-taught artist who made his debut in 1973 upon completing a master’s degree in mathematics at Bangalore University.

“My paintings are inspired by childhood memories of me wandering around my village and being captivated by the scenery, which I then captured on canvas. That’s how my interest in art blossomed,” he said.

When he was a teenager he used to perfectly reproduce famous artists’ works for a mere 50 rupees (RM3.70) for family and friends.

But his parents objected to him becoming an artist because they feared he would not be able to make a living.

“But with the support of my wife I went ahead to become a painter, quitting my job as a math professor,” he said.

Illango has also collaborated with dancer Ramli Ibrahim for his series of paintings on the odissi dance that was showcased at Istana Budaya in 2005.

He later exhibited his “Second Reincarnation” series at Sutra Dance Theatre last year. This year, his “Stirring Odissi” series was displayed at the Petronas gallery.

“Mostly simple things catch my interest like the marapachi (brown wooden doll) and giant kaval deivam (terracotta village guardians). Feminine forms also inspire me.”

Not surprisingly, cattle is also a source of inspiration for him as the animals, seen everywhere you go in India, are prominent symbols in this subcontinent’s culture.

His “Bull and Beyond” series has these bovines rendered in earthy hues.

In Hindu philosophy, the bull symbolises human prowess, while in everyday life, it is used as a beast of burden, in sport, and for its meat, milk and manure.

Ilango has also held exhibitions in the United States, Singapore, France, the United Kingdom, besides all over India.

He has won several international awards for his work, such as the International Gold Medal at the Salon d’Automne, the European Academy of Arts Jury Award at the Salon de l’Ile de France, and the Festival de Brétigny/Orge and State Award at the Golden Jubilee of Independence Exhibition in France.

Artspace is currently showcasing the works of Indian artist and film set designer, Thota Tharrani.

His works are interpretations of classical music composer Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons .

The exhibition from 11am to 7pm is on daily until the end of this month.

Artspace is at 44-A, Jalan Telawi 5, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur.