K.G. Subramanyan, fondly known as Mani da, was a scholar with great wit and a mentor to many young artists. The art fraternity remembers the legend
A writer, scholar, teacher and art historian, K.G. Subramanyan, who passed away in Baroda on Wednesday at the age of 92, was one of India’s most respected artists, working with diverse media and materials, and his artworks were filled with wit, subversion, eroticism and critical social commentary.
“Mani da was the banyan tree of the art world, with each branch sharing and imparting knowledge on and about art. He was a scholar par excellence who had a strong sense of humour, but underneath the humour was a strong sense about society. When the news of his death reached me, I was in Jaipur visiting veteran artist Himmat Shah, who spoke to me about his guru Mani da and how the latter mentored him during his early years,” shares curator Ina Puri and adds, “Mani da’s open mind and unparalleled talent earned him a large number of followers and a great deal of respect not just from the young ones but across all generations. He was a mentor, friend and family to me. He was always there to guide me during my early years in the field of art. I remember two years back when I was curating a show in Kolkata, he was the first artist who had agreed to share his work. In that show we showcased his spectacular mural ‘War of Relic’, which was later showcased in Kochi. He was so humble and always welcoming — the art world will always miss the great mentor.”
Mani da lived a full life and believed that each day is a day of celebration, shares artist K.S. Radhakrishnan. “His optimism for life was infectious. I remember meeting him last month in Baroda and the conversations were all about his future plans and what he was planning to work on. Despite his physical ailments he was constantly working and full of new ideas. He was a wonderful academician whose doors were always open to guide and help students and fellow artists. The art fraternity has lost the head of their family who was the pillar of strength for many of us.”
Agreeing with him, Manisha Gera Baswani, who has captured many memorable pictures of this legendary artist, says, “For our generation, we need to learn how people should be humble and accessible. Most of us tend to rest our egos on our heads and do not take time out for family and friends. But here was an influential teacher who was always available and helpful. In the numerous conversations I have had with him, I have always found him open for discussion and providing assistance when and where required.”
A man with multifaceted aptitudes, Subramanyan has also written extensively on art in India, formulating a foundation and theoretical framework for the study of contemporary Indian art. He has also published books for children with fables and illustrations. Photographer Parthiv Shah shares, “Mani da believed in the value of Indian traditions and incorporated folklore, myth and local techniques and stories in his works. I will always remember him as a children’s book author.”
He continues, “As a child my favourite books were by Mani saheb (as my parents called him). He would come home, narrate stories and make toys for me from plasticine. My favourite story by him is his contemporary take on the classic tale ‘The Thirsty Crow’. His version had the crow learning from society and trying to drink the water with the help of a straw. The age-old tales were placed in today’s context and then reinterpreted and retold. Any ordinary scene from our daily life could trigger a thought in his mind and translate into fierce new-age narration.”
