Date:13/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081357250600.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Sand as creative medium

N.J.Nair

Deepak Mouthattil has proved that sand can also be an effective medium for creative expression

Homage with a difference:

A homage to the late CPI(M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet by Deepak Mouthattil.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sculpting figures in sand may not have gained popularity in the State. But Deepak Mouthattil, a young sculptor hailing from Payyannur, has proved a number of times how sand can also be an effective medium for creative expression.

Deepak is out to popularise sand-sculpting all over the State. His latest work was a homage to the late CPI(M) leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet. On the day of Surjeet’s demise, Deepak made a six-ft-tall figure on the Shangumughom beach. “Sand sculptures might be ephemeral like human life but it gives unparalleled creative satisfaction to an artist,” he says.

A graduate in applied arts, Deepak explored the flexibility and strength of sand as a creative medium while playing on the beach at a very young age and since then persistently made experiments..

After making a huge mound of sand, the figure is painstakingly etched from the hill and water is sprayed at regular intervals to make it more strong and cohesive. A figure of ‘Kathivannor Veeran’ he made on the Payyambalam beach as part of the Kannur Mahotsavam won him acclaim.

Once he shifted to the capital, Shangumughom became his favourite haunt. After a consistent effort of three hours, Deepak made the figures of Sree Narayana Guru, Mata Amritananda Mayi, Ravishanker and a host of other celebrities. Almost all of them coincided with their birthday.

Usually he settles down for work in evenings. It takes around three hours and once completed, the figure will last for a day and then disintegrates.

“The crowd which gathers will never let me down. They patiently wait till the finishing touches are given and are always generous in acknowledging the effort,” he says.

It was a solo attempt in the beginning. Gradually, eight persons, including a mechanic at a local automobile workshop, teamed up with him. “Some of them continue to support me but many have left. It is not the monetary benefit but the creative satisfaction which inspires me for more attempts.” Deepak is keen on holding sessions to popularise the art but lacks financial support. Still, he is determined to go ahead with the pursuit.