Ashanthan
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Ashanthan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mahesh V. K. 1968 |
| Died | 31 January 2018 (aged 49–50) |
| Known for | Painting, sculptor |
| Awards | Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Award (1998, 1999 and 2007) |
Mahesh V. K. better known as Ashanthan (1968 – 31 January 2018) was a painter and sculptor from Kerala, India. He also worked in the amateur theatre. He has won the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Award three times.
Ashanthan was born in 1968, in Edappally in Eranakulam district of Kerala.[1] His original name was Mahesh V. K.[2] He was born to Kuttappan and Kurumba of Peelyad Thambil house in Ponekara, Edappally.[3] He also served as a teacher of painting and architecture at the Eka Art Gallery in Fort Kochi and the Changampuzha Memorial Library in Edappally.[3]
Ashanthan died on 31 January 2018.[3]
Career
Ashanthan studied painting for four years at 'Chitrashailam' and later worked as a teacher at the same institution for about 10 years.[2] Later, he left his job and devoted his full time to art. He became active in the arts after earning a diploma in painting and sculpture.[4] An expert in various styles of painting, Ashanthan had organized various painting exhibitions within and outside the country.[4] He was also active in amateur theater through directing, acting, and art direction.[4]
Ashanthan worked completely away from the commercial arts scene.[3] Various aspects of nature can be seen in his paintings. Folk arts such as mudiyattam, kathirukala and thudipattu have also been the subject of his paintings.[5]
He has held art exhibitions in over 200 locations, including abroad, and has participated in over 90 art camps.