Subramanyan was a father figure, says Thota Vaikuntam

K.G. Subramanyan was what the world called the eminent artist, but for those close to him, he was lovingly known as Mani da. After his death on Wednesday, the artist left a void too big to fill in the art world.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest artists from India, Subramanyan’s contribution to the world of art was not just limited to his striking artworks. It also showed in the crop of students he helped — some of the biggest names in art. His students talk about his influence in their lives:

Thota Vaikuntam
I learnt from him for a very short period of time, but what I learnt stayed with me. Mani da wasn’t a regular teacher, he was more of a father and if he decided to sit with you and check your work, you’d know that he spotted talent in you.

When I went to Baroda, I was quite confused with what I was doing, but he gently guided me. He always believed that one should get back to their roots if they want to get the best of their art... I didn’t get to spend much time with him and I do regret that, but I was lucky for two things, first to have met such a great man and second that I was born in a village where the culture helped me become who I am.

Laxma Goud
Mani da never looked at your negatives. He only looked at your positives. When I first met him 40 years back, I mustered up the courage to show him my art book. He took a look and then just patted me on my back, which meant that he wasn’t very impressed, however our bond got stronger with time.  Much later, I got a scholarship from the Lalit Kala Akademi and I took all my works and went to Delhi. Then my first art show was held, after that there was no looking back for me. It was such a success that the Akademi asked Mani da to write a book about me however he said he couldn’t do that... .

Years later when I got the chance to start the department of fine arts in the University of Hyderabad, he told me that if I wanted to teach, I should just sit in a room and paint and let the students learn from me... that would be the greatest education that students can get.