Silent yet spirited

Prakash. N. Nair's Shrishti is all set to become a full-fledged Fine Arts school. MALATHI RANGARAJAN talks to the artist who is carving out success from sand and stone.

THE ART school may be in its nascent stage, but its founder has big plans up his sleeve. The institution is the Srishti School of Fine Arts, at Ratnam Nagar, in Thiruvanmiyur (Phone: 4926179), and the enterprising artist behind it is Prakash. N. Nair.

Anything could be easier than making Prakash talk. Pulling words out of his mouth is arduous, but soon you understand that this shy, introverted young man is also a very capable terracotta artist and sculptor whose works speak for him.

His passion for art in all its manifestations is so great that his art school houses several disciplines from fabric painting, clay relief, clay modelling, Thanjavur painting, metal embossing and papier mache to tailoring and doll making, not to forget music, dance, veena violin, mridangam and tabla. There are trained teachers coming to Srishti to impart lessons on the art form chosen.

More subjects are in the offing. "I want all the Fine Arts to be brought under one roof", says Prakash with a self-conscious chuckle.

Soon after completing secondary school, Prakash joined the College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, and graduated from there with sculpture as his subject of specialisation. Neither he nor his family was averse to the thought of Prakash pursuing art as a profession. "The scope for sculpture as a career did not even occur to me", says Prakash.

He has recently shifted his art studio in Adyar to his Srishti premises. The studio is where he gives vent to all his creativity in ceramic, stone, metal and clay.

A scholarship from Lalit Kala Akademi enabled Prakash to work in Delhi for a year. "The theme I chose then was 'Reunion'. All my works are theme based", he says.

The need for a full fledged art school was again born out of the urge to create opportunities for the artistically inclined who are unable to devote all their time for the art they wish to get trained in.

For a school that began just a few months ago Srishti already has around 35 students. The nominal fee could be one reason. "Basically, I am a teacher. I love to teach", he says.

Padma Padmanabhan who is his partner is also a teacher. There are teachers from nearby Kalakshetra too who are part of this small faculty.

Commissioned art pieces are also made and supplied to customers on a made-to-order basis. Many of Prakash's works are displayed at art exhibitions at the National level and in art galleries. "Connoisseurs appreciate the works and some get sold", he comments.

Otherwise Prakash works at his studio, carving out his ideas in terracotta or bronze. "And if people wish to buy .... I sell them" he says.

The Srishti school of Fine Arts is a registered body today. Prakash wants to secure recognition for the school soon, introduce diploma courses and short term courses, branch into areas such as fashion designing and make Srishti a name to reckon with in Chennai.

"The certificates awarded by Srishti should be considered meritorious and invaluable", says Prakash.

The glint in his eyes reveals his determination.

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