Artist Chellapan was a Born Artist : Artist Murasoli Chellappan [Chellam ] was a born Artist. Even while he was an young student, he was attracted by the natural scenic and idyllic beauty, generally a small note book and pencil were his inseparable companions, and that habit followed him throughout his life. As an young man with natural creative urge, artistic look and outlook, he used to capture the sight of trees, animals, the azure sky and the sea and the lovely river etc in his sketch book. So as a creative young man he decided to become a full time Artist so he joined the famous Chitra Drawing School at Nagercoil to perfect and develop his drawing skill. After having successfully completed his drawing Diploma course, he was in search of a suitable placement and opportunity.
Chellappan's artistic journey:
Artist Chellappan and Mr. P.S Mani: For all the creative persons like Artists and Writers their maiden publication is a joy for ever. Mr. P.S. Mani of Kanyakumari district was a multifaceted personality, he was a freedom fighter, politician, thinker and journalist. He was serving as the Editor of a well-known journal by name " KANYAKUMAI" . P.S. Mani was one the leaders who were responsible for the formation of "Travancore Tamil Nadu Congress" along with Marshall Nesamony and Sam Nathaniel and others. Mr P.S. Mani with great vision recognized the artistic talent of the then young Artist Chellappan and published Chellappan's Cartoons regularly in his" Kanyakumari ". The Kanyakumari magazine served as a Take Off Platform for Artist Chellappan.
Young Artist Chellappan Moved to Chennai for better chances: An inner voice was consistently urging young Chellappn to move to bigger cities where he could find more opportunities to expose his artistic talents; so motivated by his inner urge and supported by his friends Chellappan moved to Chennai with a Sketch Book and self confidence . Young Artist Chellappan straight away entered into a magazine office , which was located on a flat roof top of a house and stood in front of the Editor of that magazine and that Editor was none other than the great Kalainger M.K. Karunanidhi . Kalainger ardently looked into the sample drawings of the young Artist Chellappan and instantly M.K was impressed and Young Chellappan was selected to work as Artist in the Weekly Magazine , MURASOLI .Since that day for forty years Artist Chellappan had been working with MURASOLI.
The Milestones of His Artistic Career: When Artist Chellappan joined as an Artist in Murosoli, then Kalainger M. Karunanidhi was serving as it's Editor and Maran was its' Deputy Editor and Sornam was it's Assistant Editor. Afterwards Mr . A.K. Vilvam , Pandian and others one by one joined the Murasoali team. Kalainger used to give nice picture cuttings from other magazines and journals and would ask Chellappan to draw new pictures in his Drawing Note book, on the basis and pattern of those pictures. Chellappan accordingly would draw new Pictures in his Sketch Book. According to necessity Kalainger used to select pictures from Chellappan's Drawing Book and would use for his Stories and writings. That was the story of Young Artist Chellappan's early artistic journey.
Chellappan and Kalainger's novel , Vellikizhamai : While , Kalainger Karunanidhi had been writing his famous novel ,"Vellikizhamai " as series in Murasoli , Artist Chellappan was drawing appropriate and arresting pictures, for the Novel Vellikizhamai ;and Chellpan's pictures matched the majestic Tamil Style of Kalainger M.K. Karunanidhi .
Chellappan and Arinjar Anna's Unnaithan Thambi articles: The iconic picture of Anna's raising finger for Anna's Unnaithan Thambi Series Articles, was drawn by Artist Chellappan and that iconic picture received great reception and appreciation from every reader and corner.
Chellappan and "Andi Mani"and "Anthu Mani " Cartoon Series : Definitely political and social Cartoons are the greatest creative forms of art. During the early days Kalainger , Maran and Artist Chellappan used to share a single table at Murasoli office .Kalainger used to give ideas for Andi Pondi and Anthu Mani Cartoon Series and in his absence Murasoli Maran used to give ideas ;at times Artist Chellappan also used his approved ideas to draw the Andi Pondi and Anthu mani cartoons . That was the story of Artist Chellappan's artistic travel and trajectory.
He was an Artist of principles : He is an Artist with principle , When Vai Ko was dispelled from D,M.K, many magazines requested him to draw cartoons connecting Vai Ko and M.K , for great amount of payment ,but Chellappan as a loyalist of Kalainger refused to do so. After a particular period of time
Artist Chellappan started to draw pictures and cartoons for other leading Tamil magazines also . Artist Chellappan has earned a large number of fans and friends.In recognition of his great forty years of Artistic service and creative contribution to the people , Artist Chavi and Goblu and the Secretary of Naratha Ganasaba , Chennai , arranged a felicitating meeting to honor Artist Chellappan.
Conclusion ; In December 1997 , Artist Chellappan was hit by a severe stroke , however he escaped by the loving kindness of God .By the grace of God , his children , grandchildren are well placed in life and his children, sons- in-law , nephews, nieces and cousins are working in countries like U.S , Canada , Newzealand etc and occasionally Artist Chellappan and his wife Parinbamani Chellapan visit them . Physically Artist Chellappan[Chellam] is a bit weak but the creative spirit , energy and the smiles of his children and grandchildren ,still keep him in good spirit.
P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A,.. [Rights reserved. This Article will be enlarged, modified and corrected if needed later].
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