Babu buys 60 cents after selling five paintings in Sweden – KERALA – GENERAL
THRISSUR: When Babu tried to sell his painting ‘Nilavu’ (Moonlight) in Ernakulam, he was offered 4 lakhs for it. Later he got 36 lakh Rs by selling the same painting in Sweden. Thrissur Velupadam native KG Babu sold five paintings including ‘Nilavu’ in Sweden and for that money he bought 60 cents a mark. He is now trying to find money to build a house by selling more paintings in Sweden.
The turning point in Babu’s life came when he met the Swedish painter and curator Dorina Mukkaan on social media. He gave her 5 paintings and these paintings were put up for sale in an exhibition. India’s Ambassador to Sweden Tanmaya Lal and famous painters visited the exhibition. Prints of the paintings with Babu’s signature were also requested.
It was Babu who drew the portraits of about 100 late writers held at the Kerala Sahitya Academy. Until 6 years ago, he used to get 6000 Rs for a painting. The teak frame alone cost around 6,000 Rs. Later he started taking out Rs 24,000 for a painting.
Artist invited by China
- Babu is one of the five Indian artists invited by China’s Ministry of Culture
- His work was appreciated at the art fair in Busan, Korea
- He is one of the three Asians of 20 selected artists from around the world at the Box Heart Gallery in the United States.
Vijayakumar House is located near the bamboo forest in Pulikkanny near the Chimmini Dam. He was born into a poor family and has six brothers and a sister. He left home at a very young age and began writing banners and posters and washing dishes in hotels. Although he had attended the Art School, he could not complete his studies. His wife Anita is also a painter.
The landslide that took place near the Chimmini Dam in 2018 caused havoc in the region where his brothers lived. By buying 60 cents of land in two places in Varandarappilly, Babu wipes the tears of his siblings.