JOIN USBrushing off disabilities, painter turns pro
The Association of British Scholars, along with the British Council, introduced the 54-year-old artist at the British Library here on Saturday. His paintings will be displayed at an exhibition at the Chitrakala Parishath from 10 am to 7 pm on June 14. It will feature 24 paintings of the National Award winner and most of them will be available for sale.
Ramalingam has won various awards and grants from governments and associations in the UK, the USA, Spain, France, Brazil, Japan and India. He has also held multiple solo and group exhibitions in these countries.
A Charles Wallace Scholarship winner, Ram told the media (through his interpreter) that his disabilities were not a hindrance to his work. “Ask me about my paintings, not about my impairments. They don’t affect me,” said Ram.
He has been suffering from ‘tunnel vision’ since the age of 40. Asked why his paintings always contain female characters as the subject, he said, “Women are like flowers giving much more scope for design and colours, compared to men.” He continued, “An Indian woman holds culture close to the clothes she wears. I want to send this image across to the Western world.”
Ram, who has met M F Husain twice, was asked to comment on the great artist’s demise, but he steered cleared of political controversies and merely said: “The man was strong and charismatic; one should look at his immense creativity and not politics.”