30/04/2013
" Rest In Peace, the legend of art of our times "
One of modern India's greatest painters J. Sasikumar Shangrilla passed-away. The nation had lost an iconic artist and the art world, one of its most colourful personalities. More than any other person he achieved the intellectual ideal of a man in action. He has acquired a reputation as an ardent artist in diverse fields such as painting, photography, Film making and sculpture making, considers it his duty to pave way into more opportunities for the younger generation both for the sake of painting, and for the young minds who are passionate about the art forms. His death would create a deep void in the world of art and creativity.
It was his paintings that gave Kerala a window in the western world. He gave recognition to Kerala as a state rich with art and artists to the world in general. The respect that J Sasikumar had for Raja Ravi Varma led him into doing a documentary on him. Titled simply as 'Raja Ravi Varma', the documentary was shown in five international film festivals and helped revive the name and legacy of Raja Ravi Varma to the contemporary world.
In 1989 the Society For Protection Of Cultural Heritage was formed with J Sasikumar as the chairman. The objective of the society has been simple and precise – to find new market for the works of young painters and to protect the cultural heritage of India.