Documentary on father in making, says Dakshinamoorthy's son

Chennai: If there is a sculpture of stunning workmanship that’s worshiped by connoisseur or preserved in world museum, it most certainly would be of C. Dakshinamoorthy, the versatile artist who worked in all mediums.

Any connoisseur would say that a stone would sing and dance and the painting would come to life if this internationally renowned sculptor put his chisel or brush to work. He was not just an individual sculptor or painter, Dakshinamoorthy was an inspiration, a phenomenon.

He had carved his journey from being a lad from Gudiyatham commencing his tryst with the art world with the local potter’s wheel to rising up in stature to hold his first solo exhibitions in London and Croydon in 1978 and later on in Buenos Aires, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi. His impressive 82-inch bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda (donated by former MP Dr L. M. Singvi in 2006) graces the Parliament House.

He was keeping good health till he breathed his last and his sudden passing away on September 22 came as a shock to his family members and also his students and the art lovers. “He went for his usual evening walk. He loves to see the sunset (from his house near Sangam theatre). He last spoke to mom before turning in for the night. He had only cold and cough… and then the shock came to us that he is no more,” his bereaved son D. Anbukumaran recalls.

“With so much of support from his well-wishers, students and artistes, I think he is still around us. We take that as courage,” Mr Anbukumaran who is into 3D animation and film making, says.

“Personally, I don’t think we miss him in thought process. I was making a documentary on the journey of his life. He even presented us a demo using oil and acrylic,” Mr Anbukumaran further adds.

Dakshinamoorthy who is inspired by the people around him, especially their behaviour, expressions, postures and gestures, had worked with stalwarts
like Dhanapal and K.C. Panikar.