M. V. Devan Biography 
M. V. Devan was a noted artist, cultural activist, art critic and writer from Kerala who passed away on April 29, 2014 in Aluva. This celebrated artist was known as a painter, sculptor and an orator too. He has served as the Chairman of Kerala Lalithakala Akademi during the period - 1974 to 1977. He has been instrumental in establishing Malayala Kalagramam at Mahe and also set up Kalapeetom in Ernakulam. ‘Devaspandanam’ – a collection of critical essays is regarded as his masterpiece work in literature. He has also established Perunthachan - a consultancy in the housing sector. He has also worked with Mathrubhumi daily at Kozhikode. M. Govindan was his mentor.
He was born in Panniyannur, Thalassery, Kannur district in 1928. His full name is Madathil Vasudevan. Devan joined Government School of Arts and Crafts in Chennai in 1946 to learn art. He got opportunity to learn under D. P. Roy Chowdhury and K. C. S. Panicker. After studies he joined Mathrubhumi in 1952 as a staff artist and worked there till 1962. He rendered remarkable illustrations for the works of literary stalwarts like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and Uroob while at Mathrubhumi, Kozhikode. Mathrubhumi’s then Editor V.M. Nair wanted a trained artist to do illustrations in the weekly and that’s how Devan got hired.
He organized art camps as well as gave thoughtful speeches and played a significant role in creating artistic awareness among Keralites. In 1961 he left Mathrubhumi and reached Chennai to work as art consultant and Malayalam editor of the Southern Languages Book Trust. He became the first secretary of the Madras Lalithakala Akademi. Later Devan headed the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.
Published: N/A
Updated: May 23, 2014
