# M. V. Devan > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/M._V._Devan > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/M._V._Devan.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._V._Devan > Source revision: 1337266318 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Indian sculptor, (1928 – 2014)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = M. V. Devan | image = KERALA ARTIST M.V.Devan CNV000028.JPG | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Madhathil Vasudevan | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1928|01|15}} | birth_place = [Panniyannur](/source/Panniyannur), [Tellicherry](/source/Tellicherry), [Malabar district](/source/Malabar_district), [Madras Presidency](/source/Madras_Presidency), [British India](/source/British_India) | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2014|04|29|1928|01|15}} | death_place = [Aluva](/source/Aluva), [Ernakulam district](/source/Ernakulam_district), [Kerala](/source/Kerala), [India](/source/India) | other_names = | occupation = [Painter](/source/Painter), [sculptor](/source/sculptor), [writer](/source/writer), [art critic](/source/art_critic), [orator](/source/orator) | spouse = Sreedevi | children = Jameela M Devan, Shalini M Devan Grandchildren = Aparna P Kochumon, Ashwin P Kochumon, Sidharth Rajmohan | awards = {{Unbulleted list|2000 [Vayalar Award](/source/Vayalar_Award)|2002 Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram|2003 [Mathrubhumi Literary Award](/source/Mathrubhumi_Literary_Award)|[Kerala Lalithakala Akademi](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi) Fellowship|[Chennai Lalitkala Akademi](/source/Lalit_Kala_Akademi) Fellowship|Malayattoor Award|Critics Award|[M. K. K. Nair](/source/M._K._K._Nair) Award}} }} '''Madathil Vasudevan''', popularly identified as '''M. V. Devan''' (15 January 1928 – 29 April 2014), was an Indian [painter](/source/Painting), [sculptor](/source/sculptor), [writer](/source/writer), [art critic](/source/art_critic) and [orator](/source/orator). Besides his artistic works, he was also known for his [architectural designs](/source/Building_design) for a number of [cultural institution](/source/cultural_institution)s as well as for his contributions in founding ''[Kerala Kalapeetom](/source/Kerala_Kalapeetom)'', Kochi-based cultural organization, ''[Malayala Kalagramam](/source/Malayala_Kalagramam)'', an art village in [New Mahe](/source/New_Mahe) and ''Kalagramam'', another art village in [Kollam](/source/Kollam). A former [chairman](/source/Chairperson) of the [Kerala Lalithakala Akademi](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi), he was a recipient of several honours including the ''[Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram](/source/Raja_Ravi_Varma_Puraskaram)'' of the [Kerala Lalithakala Akademi](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi), the [Vayalar Award](/source/Vayalar_Award) and the [Mathrubhumi Literary Award](/source/Mathrubhumi_Literary_Award). == Biography == M. V. Devan was born on January 15, 1928, at [Panniyannur](/source/Panniyannur), a small village in [Thalassery](/source/Thalassery) in the south Indian state of [Kerala](/source/Kerala).{{Cite web |url=http://www.madhayamam.com/en/node/22882 |title=Eminent painter and sculptor M V Devan dies |website=www.madhayamam.com |access-date=2019-03-31 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After completing high school in 1946, he left for [Madras](/source/Madras) to study painting.{{Cite web |url=https://www.keralatourism.org/leadinglights/mr-m-v-devan/76 |title=M. V. Devan - Kerala Tourism |date=2019-03-31 |website=Kerala Tourism |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31}} At Chennai, he joined the [Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai](/source/Government_College_of_Fine_Arts%2C_Chennai) where he had the opportunity to study under [D. P. Roy Choudhury](/source/D._P._Roy_Choudhury) and [K. C. S. Paniker](/source/K._C._S._Paniker), the then principal and vice principal of the institution. It was during this time itself, he met [M. Govindan](/source/M._Govindan), who influenced his thinking.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/artist-mv-devan-passes-away/article5960643.ece |title=Artist M.V. Devan passes away |last=S. Anandan |date=2014-04-27 |access-date=2014-05-01 |newspaper=The Hindu}} Returning to Kerala, he was involved in many artistic, cultural and literary movements, besides his own artistic pursuits.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/m-v-devan-fought-for-art-says-m-mukundan/articleshow/58332174.cms |title=M V Devan fought for art, says M Mukundan - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=24 April 2017 |access-date=2019-03-31}} Devan was married to Sreedevi and the couple had two daughters, Jameela and Shalini. He died on April 29, 2014, at the age of 86, at his residence in [Aluva](/source/Aluva), survived by his daughters; his wife had predeceased him. == Career and legacy == On his return from Chennai in 1952, he joined ''[Mathrubhumi](/source/Mathrubhumi)'' daily at their [Kozhikode](/source/Kozhikode) office as a staff artist and stayed there until 1961 when he got an opportunity as an art consultant with ''Southern Languages Book Trust'', Chennai.{{Cite web |url=http://www.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/art-and-culture/kerala-artiste-mv-devan-dies-at-86_-145244.html |title=Kerala Artiste M.V. Devan Dies At 86 |date=2014-04-30 |website=indiatimes.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31}} A year later, he quit the job when the [Lalit Kala Akademi](/source/Lalit_Kala_Akademi), Chennai was established to work as its founder secretary;{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/residence-near-Aluva/articleshow/34501738.cms |title=Kerala artist who left a mark on Cholamandal - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=2 May 2014 |access-date=2019-03-31}} during his tenure, the academy was a meeting point for the Chennai based artists and this was known to have served as an inspiration for the formation of [Cholamandal Artists' Village](/source/Cholamandal_Artists'_Village), of which he was also a founder member.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/Another-first-for-Indian-art/article15382347.ece |title=Another first for Indian art |date=2008-06-03 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-31}} Later, he moved to the [New Delhi](/source/New_Delhi) office of the academy in 1996 for a two year stint and it was during this time he came in touch with [M. K. K. Nair](/source/M._K._K._Nair), the visionary civil servant, with whom he was involved in the organization of the ''All India Writers’ Conference'' in [Aluva](/source/Aluva). Nair, who headed the [Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited](/source/Fertilisers_and_Chemicals_Travancore) (FACT) during those days, invited Devan as an art consultant with Fact Engineering and Design Organisation (Fedo), a division of FACT and he worked for FACT till 1972, a year after Nair left the company to take up the position of a joint secretary at the [Planning Commission of India](/source/Planning_Commission_of_India).{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/gained-in-translation-patel-mans-tale-minister-tewari-can-check-communalist-account-when-english-version-of-mkks-book-comes-out-soon/cid/241276 |title=Gained in translation? Patel man's tale |website=www.telegraphindia.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31}} In 1977, Devan was selected as the chairman of the [Kerala Lalithakala Akademi](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi), a post he held till 1977. Simultaneously, he ran an architectural design firm, ''Perunthachan'', where he practised environment-friendly cost-effective construction techniques, a pioneering effort much before [Laurie Baker](/source/Laurie_Baker) popularised the concept in the state; he designed around 450 constructions, which include auditoria, hotels and church.{{Cite web |url=https://www.welcomekeralaonline.com/other/remembering-m-v-devan-catalogue-drawings-paintings-graphic-paints-and-sculptures |title=Remembering M V Devan-Catalogue of Drawings, Paintings, Graphic paints, and Sculptures |website=www.welcomekeralaonline.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204506/https://www.welcomekeralaonline.com/other/remembering-m-v-devan-catalogue-drawings-paintings-graphic-paints-and-sculptures |url-status=dead }} After his tenure with [Kerala Lalithakala Akademi](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi) ended in 1977, he continued his involvement with the fine arts, literature and cultural activities; the founding of ''Nadaka Kalari'', a theatre group based in [Vaikom](/source/Vaikom), in 1967, along with [M. Govindan](/source/M._Govindan), [C. N. Sreekantan Nair](/source/C._N._Sreekantan_Nair), K. S. Narayana Pillai, [K. Ayyappa Paniker](/source/K._Ayyappa_Paniker) and [G. Sankara Pillai](/source/G._Sankara_Pillai), was one among them.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/bitten-by-the-theatre-bug/article21884624.ece |title=Bitten by the theatre bug |date=2017-12-19 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-31}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2017/dec/17/celebrating-50-years-of-amateur-theatre-movement-1729905.html |title=Celebrating 50 years of amateur theatre movement |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=2019-03-31}} Devan founded ''Kerala Kalapeedom'', art and cultural centre based in Kochi, in 1978, where several artists such as [T. Kaladharan](/source/T._Kaladharan), [M. R. D. Dattan](/source/M._R._D._Dattan), [C. N. Karunakaran](/source/C._N._Karunakaran) and [Artist Namboothiri](/source/Artist_Namboothiri);{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/art/artist-and-his-kingdom/article6511516.ece |title=Artist and his 'kingdom' |last=Anand |first=Shilpa Nair |date=2014-10-17 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-31}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/The-colourful-landscapes-of-T.-Kaladharan/article14397012.ece |title=The colourful landscapes of T. Kaladharan |last=Menon |first=Anasuya |date=2016-06-23 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-31}} he would also chair the organization later.{{Cite web |url=https://artchennai.wordpress.com/archives/art-chennai-2011/galleries-2/cholamandal-artists%e2%80%99village/artists-work-cholamandal-artists%e2%80%99village/m-v-devan/ |title=M. V. Devan - Art Chennai |date=2011-03-14 |website=ART CHENNAI |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31}} He was also involved in the founding of two art villages, ''Malayala Kalagramam'', in [New Mahe](/source/New_Mahe) and ''Kalagramam'', in [Kollam](/source/Kollam).{{Cite web |url=http://www.devankalagramam.org/ |title=M.V Devan Kalagramam |website=www.devankalagramam.org |access-date=2019-03-31 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331121828/http://www.devankalagramam.org/ |url-status=dead }} ''Navashakti'', ''Gopuram'', ''Sameeksha'', ''Kerala Kavita'' and ''Jwala'' were some of the literary publications he was associated with.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Eminent-painter-and-sculptor-MM-Devan-dies-in-Kerala/articleshow/34380212.cms |title=Eminent painter and sculptor MM Devan dies in Kerala - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=2019-03-31}} Devan compiled the articles he had published earlier, as an essay anthology, under the title, ''Devaspandanam'', in 2001. Devan's paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in many paces in India. T. Kaladharan, one of his proteges, has cataloged his drawings, paintings, graphic paints, and sculptures which has since been published by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, under the title, ''Remembering M. V. Devan''. In 2019, the family members of Devan, primarily his daughters and grandchildren, as a commemoration of Devan’s art and legacy, initiated the ‘M V Devan Puraskaram’ - an award in Devan’s name. It was envisaged to render recognition to exemplary icons in the field of visual arts. The primary M V Devan Puraskaram was presented to artist [NKP Muthukoya](/source/NKP_Muthukoya) on 29 April 2019, the death anniversary of Devan == Awards and honours == ''Devaspandanam'', which is considered by many the magnum opus of Devan, was selected for two awards, starting with the [Vayalar Award](/source/Vayalar_Award) in 2000,{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/vayalar-award/575 |title=Vayalar Award winners |website=keralaculture.org |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/pdf/Award%20Pages.pdf |title=Vayalar Award |date=2019-03-31 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-03-31}} followed by the [Mathrubhumi Literary Award](/source/Mathrubhumi_Literary_Award) in 2003. The book would also receive Malayattoor Award later. In between, he received the [Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram](/source/Raja_Ravi_Varma_Puraskaram) of the [Kerala Lalithakala Akademi](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi) in 2002.{{Cite web |url=http://lalithkala.org/content/raja-ravi-varma-puraskaram |title=Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram - Kerala Lalithakala Akademi |website=lalithkala.org |access-date=2019-03-31}} He also received the fellowship of the [academy](/source/Kerala_Lalithakala_Akademi){{Cite web |url=http://lalithkala.org/content/akademi-fellowships |title=Akademi Fellowships - Kerala Lalithakala Akademi |website=lalithkala.org |access-date=2019-03-31}} as well as the fellowship of the Chennai [Lalit Kala Akademi](/source/Lalit_Kala_Akademi). The other honours received by Devan include the Critics Award and the M. K. K. Nair Award. On the occasion of his first death anniversary, an event was organized in Kochi, ''Remembering Devan'', which featured several lectures and an exhibition of Devan's paintings as well as the works of some of his contemporaries including [Tyeb Mehta](/source/Tyeb_Mehta), [F. N. Souza](/source/F._N._Souza), [K. K. Hebbar](/source/K._K._Hebbar), [Laxma Goud](/source/Laxma_Goud), [Bhupen Khakhar](/source/Bhupen_Khakhar) and [Akbar Padamsee](/source/Akbar_Padamsee).{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/art/the-palette-of-the-modernist/article7204944.ece |title=The palette of the modernist |last=Anand |first=Shilpa Nair |date=2015-05-14 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-31}} Binuraj Kalapeedam, one of his students at Kerala Kalapeedam, has made a documentary on the life of Devan, titled ''Devaspandanam'', the title of his award-winning book.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2014/mar/17/etching-the-dreams-of-the-master-artist-587204.html |title=Etching the Dreams of the Master Artist |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=2019-03-31}} ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == * {{Cite web |url=http://www.devankalagramam.org/ |title=M.V Devan Kalagramam |website=www.devankalagramam.org |access-date=2019-03-31 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331121828/http://www.devankalagramam.org/ |url-status=dead }} * {{Cite web |url=https://www.pinkerala.com/news/ormakaliluday-a-remembrance-of-mv-devan-at-nanappa-art-gallery-cochin |title="Ormakaliluday" a Remembrance of MV Devan at Nanappa Art Gallery Cochin |website=www.pinkerala.com |access-date=2019-03-31}} * {{Cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/tv/ReadMore/6370/artist-m-v-devan-dies/E |title=ചിത്രകാരന്‍ എം.വി. ദേവന്‍ അന്തരിച്ചു |website=www.mathrubhumi.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-31}} * {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Gj9iowftc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/z_Gj9iowftc |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=M.V.Devan - Obituary |last=jofy. p.j. |date=2014-05-01 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-03-31}}{{cbignore}} * {{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/10/24/stories/2002102400400300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030324215006/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/10/24/stories/2002102400400300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-03-24 |website=[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu) |title=A pot pourri of paintings |date=2002-10-24 |access-date=2019-03-31}} {{Painters from Kerala}} {{Vayalar Awards}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Devan, M. V.}} Category:Painters from Kerala Category:20th-century Indian illustrators Category:1928 births Category:2014 deaths Category:Malayalam-language writers Category:Malayali people Category:20th-century Indian painters Category:Indian male sculptors Category:Malayalam literary critics Category:People from Thalassery Category:Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai alumni Category:Indian art critics Category:Writers from Kerala Category:20th-century Indian sculptors Category:People from Aluva Category:20th-century Indian male artists Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [M. V. Devan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._V._Devan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._V._Devan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.