Name: M. Prasanna Kumar
Born:1939
Native-place: Thalakudy, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
Education: Diploma in Civil Engineering at M.C.M.Polytechnic at Avadi, Chennai
(1957-1960)
Chithra Art School, Nagercoil - 1964
I started sketching as a hobby during my student days at Polytechnic. Later, I was fully involved in art and finally decided to start my career as a full-time artist against the will of my family members. In 1964 joined in a local ART SCHOOL to learn the elementary in oil painting. Soon I set-up my own studio and started painting portraits. In a short period, I found good development in painting portraits and decided to make it my profession as I had the flair for living-likeness.
I painted the portrait of M.S. Subbulakshmi in 1974. In that portrait I found good signs to become a professional portrait artist and so, I took the decision to move to Madras (Chennai) in 1975 to start my career as a professional portrait artist. Soon after arriving in Madras, I enrolled myself as a member in all the reputed libraries like Adyar Library, British Council Library, American Library and Max Muller Bhavan Library. These libraries had a vital role in making me a full-fledged artist by imparting more knowledge about art and artists . This gave me more confidence in my career.In the mean time, I got the good opportunity of meeting personages like Major Srikanth (Former A.D.C. to Governor), R. Ramakrishnan ( former Sheriff of Madras), Justice. P.R. Gokulakrishnan, M.G. Balasubramanian ( I.A.S. Retd ), M. Gopalakrishnan ( Ex. Chairman, Indian Bank), Justice. K Venkataswami (Supreme Court Judge- Rtd) and friends like A. Ramachandran ( I.O.B ). They all have been highly helpful in shaping my career. I am grateful for them for their valuable contribution for my growth as a professional portrait artist. Let me add here that two portraits done by me appear in the pages of Wikipedia, one of the most popular websites, visited by millions across the globe.
In 2006, I got the wonderful opportunity to meet the Governor H.E. Shri. Surjit Singh Barnala at Raj Bhavan and paint a portrait of His Excellency. His Excellency was so kind to respond to my request to visit my studio to see the completed portrait and the other paintings. This is a moment in my life-time. I take it as rare honour and recognition to my services in the field of portrait painting. This event inspires me to achieve more.
Again, in 2007, I received a personal letter from Governor asking me to do a portrait of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India for Raj Bhavan. This is yet another honour to me. " You have done a wonderful job" was the comment when I showed the completed portrait to H.E.
These two events make me feel proud and humble as if I have had received the highest award in the field of portrait painting.
I will always remain grateful to His Excellency for the kind gesture and concern, he has for me and my art.
