Date:12/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061211420800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Indomitable spirit of an artist with cerebral palsy

By Our Staff Reporter

V. Pronin, Consul of Russia, sharing a moment with K. Narasimhalu at an exhibition of his paintings in Savera Hotel in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI, JUNE 11. At Savera Hotel today, the credits rolled in from every direction, and rightly so. As K. Narasimhalu wheeled himself around the exhibition of his art works, he could not stop expressing his gratitude to the people who had made it possible. "Thank you all, I am very happy today," he repeated, beaming from ear to ear.

What does it take for an artist with cerebral palsy to hold an exhibition of paintings, computer-art and embroidered samplers? This was no solo venture. Many people helped Narasimhalu showcase his `Tryst with Nature' - the title of his exhibition. From his adopted family at the orthopaedic wing of Andhra Mahila Sabha and his friend S. Ramalingam, to teachers at Arena Multimedia in Vadapalani and well-wishers at Savera hotel and ICICI bank, Narasimhalu was full of gratitude for all.

He came to Andhra Mahila Sabha, a social service organisation, as a toddler with a body that just would not obey.

"We tried to help him the best we could with occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy, and by educating him. But really, he showed us the way by showing us what he was capable of," said Akkamma Krishnamurthy, chairperson of the organisation.

His talent and perseverance won him a free course in multimedia. Now, Narasimhalu works deftly with his toes on the mouse and keyboard creating pictures of Nature: from warm, melancholy sunsets to steely moonlit nights.

"The first time I met Narasimhalu at Andhra Mahila Sabha, he took me to his room with his usual smiling face and showed me a painting of a bird captioned with a poem he had written," recalled Ramalingam, a Russian interpreter, who has been working to showcase the young artist's talents. The poem was about a songbird that loses its voice. When the bird loses its voice, it seems as though it has died, even though it is still alive. "Reading his poem touched me very deeply. He has a way of sharing the feelings he has in his heart, through his art," he said.

"Narasimhalu's example shows that what disabled people really need is assurance, self-reliance and security," said V. Pronin, Consul of Russia, inaugurating the exhibition.

Nina Reddy, Executive Director of Savera, said the hotel would host similar exhibitions of works of disabled people free-of-cost. Those interested may contact Divya at 28114700.