Priya Aditi
KM Vasudevan Namboodthiri, affectionately known as Artist Namboothiri, passes away at Kottakkal in Malappuram in the early hours of Friday, July 7. He was a singular force in Kerala who gave life to countless literary characters through his iconic lines, leaving an indelible mark on the art world as a stellar illustrator for nearly seven decades. He was 97.
1955 marked the beginning of Namboothiri’s vocation as an illustrator, a field in which he was held in high regard. He encapsulated the essence of a number of literary characters in the works of luminaries such as MT Vasudevan Nair and VKN through the use of stark lines and light brushstrokes. The men and women depicted in his designs were lanky, dreamy, and conveyed a range of emotions.
Namboothiri, also known for his paintings and sculptures, passed away on July 7 at approximately 12.30 a.m. at a private hospital in Kottakkal.
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He was a graduate of the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai, and his time at Artist Village and tutelage under KCS Panikker gave him new perspectives on the art world. Former chairman of the Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi, he has received a number of honors, including the Raja Ravi Varma award in 2003.
