Perth, May 30/INDIAN ABROAD NEWSDESK
Singer, painter and versatile artist Subhashini Balasubramaniam recently presented a coffee table book titled The Complete Artist to the Consul General of India in Perth, highlighting the extraordinary artistic legacy of her grandfather, the celebrated Tamil illustrator Maniam.
According to the Consulate General of India in Perth, the publication showcases the life and works of Maniam, one of the most influential illustrators in Tamil art and literature. Subhashini Balasubramaniam belongs to a distinguished artistic family widely respected within India and the global Tamil community.
Her father, Maniam Selven (Ma Se), and grandfather Maniam have both made significant contributions to Tamil visual art and literary culture over several decades.
Artist Maniam was especially renowned for his illustrations in leading Tamil magazines, including Kalki. His artwork for the famous serialised historical novel on the Chola Empire, written by celebrated author Kalki Krishnamurthy in the 1950s, earned widespread admiration for both the literary work and the accompanying illustrations.
The story has witnessed renewed international popularity following its cinematic adaptation into Ponniyin Selvan 1 and Ponniyin Selvan 2, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam. Character designs and visual elements in the films were reportedly inspired by Maniam’s original illustrations.
To commemorate Maniam’s centenary year, retrospective exhibitions and commemorative coffee table books in Tamil and English were organised, celebrating his enduring contribution to Indian art and Tamil cultural heritage.
Community members noted that such initiatives help preserve and promote India’s rich artistic traditions while introducing younger generations to the legacy of pioneering Indian illustrators and cultural icons.
