On my pinboard: Vilas Nayak

Self-taught artist Vilas Nayak is Asia’s fastest speed painter. Hailing from Ujire, Mangaluru, he is now settled in Bengaluru. Vilas quit his corporate job to follow his passion and has performed in more than 23 countries. He has also participated in popular shows like Asia’s Got Talent, India’s Got Talent and more.

He has performed in the presence of celebrities like Tim Duncan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Shah Rukh Khan, Sachin Tendulkar, S P Balasubramanyam and many others.

Inspiration
APJ Abdul Kalam
“Nature is my inspiration and it is not because I am an artist. There are a lot of things that one needs to learn from nature. Apart from that, I also look up to people who have reached heights in their lives having started from scratch. I have always looked up to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam for the way he led his life. I had performed for him once, and he was on the edge of his seat the entire time. Given his humble behaviour and simplicity, he is a true inspiration to many.”

Music
S P Balasubramanyam
“The music I listen to depends completely on my mood. I listen to everything from bhajans to rock. S P Balasubramanyam is my all-time favourite. I grown up listening
to his songs, and he is one of the most versatile singers in the country. Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Sonu Nigam are some other favourites. I like Sonu Nigam’s ‘Mungaru Male’, ‘Minchagi Neenu Baralu’, and ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’. Among international artistes, I like Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.”

Films
Terminator
“I enjoy watching films. ‘Terminator’ and ‘Avatar’ are my favourites. I like ‘Terminator’ for Arnold Schwarzenegger; the man is an inspiration to many. ‘Mungaru Male’ is another favourite; the film is a treat to watch for its music and cinematography. Among the actors, I admire Kangana Ranaut. Her performance in ‘Queen’ left many in awe of her. In Sandalwood, Dr Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Shankar Nag and Ambareesh are my all-time favourite actors. The best part is that all of their films conveyed a message, unlike the present day films. But, recent films like Rangi Taranga, Lucia are show potential of changing the future of our industry."

Books
The History Of Art
“Honestly, I am not into reading novels. All my time is invested in painting. But, I do read a few books on art. ‘Alla Prima 2’ by Richard Schmid and ‘The History Of Art’ by EH Gombrich are the ones that I read recently.”

Food
Anna-saaru
“I am not a foodie, but I love exploring different kinds of food. Apart from Indian food, I like Mexican and Arabian cuisine the best. Back home, I like all Mangaluru style cuisine, especially Anna-saaru; I can live for days with just anna-saaru.

Travel
Switzerland
“I am travelling for work most of the time, but I make sure to take time off work and go on a family vacation. I also make it a point to extend my trip and explore the place.
I have travelled across 35 countries so far. Among them, Switzerland is my favourite; it is nature at its best. In India, I like Kashmir for its breathtaking scenery and Mysuru for its laid-back lifestyle. When in Mysuru, ‘Kukkarahalli Lake’ is a place I never fail to visit.”