News : 06-Aug-2023 : In 2015, Manilal Sabarimala, a renowned artist, experienced a creative block, finding himself unable to recreate his favorite subject, Lord Ganesha, which he had been depicting for nearly 16 years. Feeling unsatisfied with his art, he decided to take a break from the world of colors, unintentionally ending up in a sabbatical that lasted around one and a half years.
During this break, Manilal revisited his old works and stumbled upon a painting that rekindled his passion for art. This time, he chose to draw instead of painting, and he believes that Lord Ganesha, known for removing obstacles, played a role in removing his hindrances and inspiring him to create again.
For Manilal, Lord Ganesha serves as a source of inspiration, irrespective of debates about whether the deity is a myth or not. He is determined to pursue his dream work of creating 10,000 drawings of Lord Ganesha on a massive 20×5-ft canvas. This ambitious project has been recognized by the Universal Record Forum (URF) as the first of its kind and is set to be officially acknowledged at a meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on August 21.
Manilal’s journey as an artist has not been without challenges. Having studied botany and worked as a teacher in Bhutan, he had always aspired to become a full-fledged artist. His passion for painting Lord Ganesha gradually evolved unintentionally, and he found himself incapable of painting anything else. The unique interpretations of Lord Ganesha’s forms showcased in his exhibitions gained attention from various parts of the country, including shows at New Delhi’s Ashoka Hotel.
In 2009, he returned to Kerala when his wife was appointed as the vice principal of a school in Thiruvananthapuram. Back in his home state, Manilal completed his BFA and MFA from Mysore University, allowing him to interact with renowned artists and expand his artistic horizons.
In Kerala, he founded Anokhii, an organization dedicated to organizing painting exhibitions of artists from India and abroad, with the support of renowned artist Kanayi Kunhiraman. Unfortunately, the organization’s activities were temporarily disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently based in Payyanur, Manilal finds energy and inspiration in Lord Ganesha, believing that the deity fuels his artistic explorations and serves as more than just a mythological concept.