V. S. Valiathan Biography 
V. S. Valiathan – the Thampuran of the Classical style of painting was a doyen of painting from Panthalam, Kerala. He followed the classic style of Raja Ravi Varma. Muted colours and natural overtones are the highlights of his works. His full name is Vattaparambil Sankaran Valiathan and he was commonly referred to as Artist V. S. Valiathan. He followed a realistic style in his paintings and a few of his popular paintings include - Macbeth, Venalkkalam, Urangunnal Sundari, Prakrithi Drishyam, Vasthrakshepam, Panchali, Kurukshetra Yuddham, Kulakkadavu, Vishvamitranum Menakayum, Urvasy, Themmadikkattu, Vreela Vivasa etc. Another characteristic of his painting is that he did his work from imagination, without using any models.
V. S. Valiathan was born at Pandalam into the Royal family of Pandalam in the year 1919. Revathinal Ravi Varma Raja and Thottathil Madhavi Amma were his parents. He was born into a family of artists. His maternal grandfather was an artist in mural painting. He received training from his drawing master of his school - Puthenveettil P. K. Gopala Pillai. Known for his realistic style of painting, he drew inspirations from his surroundings and sketched them using his imagination without the help of any models. He also drew inspirations from Hindu epics and world classics.
He has conducted several solo exhibitions and a few of his paintings are showcased at Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram. Besides painting he was interested in Kathakali and has authored one book too. It was a Kathakali story – Natyodbhavam which was staged on the occasion of his Saptathi (70th birthday). He also directed one documentary film on the famous musician and the ruler Swathi Thirunal.
He was a recipient of Chitrakala Parishath Fellowship for the year 1996, Kerala Lalitakala Academy Award 2002 and Raja Ravi Varma Award, 2006. He used to pour his knowledge of the art of painting to his students at his art gallery Chithrasala even during his last days. He was the first recipient of Kerala Lalitakala Academy Award and he passed away in 2006 before he received the most prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Award.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 03, 2016
