Ernakulathappan’s original painting

Last Monday, while speaking to Sreejith (temple #moothath ), he casually mentioned that he had gone to frame Ernakulathappan’s picture. 

“Which picture?”

“കെ.കെ. വാര്യർ സാർ വരച്ചത്.”

(The one drawn by KK Warriar sir.)

I jumped up. “What? You have it?”

That was the ‘original painting’ of Ernakulathappan. This painting is the ‘source’ of all images we see now printed of Ernakulathappan.

#motherlode #firstpainting 

The great Mural artist, (late) Sri. KK Warriar had a #vision of His image after attending many #deeparadhana s. He made some sketches in the early 70’s and drew the final picture in 1976.

“Yes, it had to be restored. It was last retouched in 1996. Sasi Sir, just finished the repair and gave it for re-framing”, Sreejith said. 

It had been long time wish to document this #painting and I had been unaware it had been brought down from the West ceiling where it has been on public display for years. High above. Easy to miss. And almost completely covered in soot as it is placed directly above the multi-tiered oil lamp.

But … But…Ernakulathappan did see to it that the information was dropped in my ear!!

I forced Sreejith to call Sri. Sasi Warriar (son of the original #artist who is also a #muralartist ) and make him agree to an interview. 

We both rushed to the framer, transported the painting back to the art school (Indian school of Art)  in Ravipuram and did the recording. Then returned Him to the framer in Kadavanthara.

I don’t think this painting will be brought down for another 20-30 years. 

While driving back, Sreejith and I were talking about accepting everything and living by the #philosophy “Everything happens for a (good) reason.” 

എല്ലാം നല്ലതിനു.

எல்லாம் நல்லதுக்கெ.

When the framer had called Sreejith in the morning to inform that the framing would be completed only the day after, he had been a little upset.

“But see, it was for you, this purpose, that the framing was delayed.”

If the framer had finished work, then the glass would reflect light and I could not have taken good shots of the painting.

So, everything does happen for the good!!

BTW..Sasi sir & his wife presented me with a print of Lord Krishna drawn by his illustrious father. #blessed 

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/5K4Pd721X_Y?si=_YqNMpa-uYbLABm8