Olympics Diary

From Palakkad to Paris: Akkitham Narayanan's colorful journey with art

Akkitham Narayanan, celebrated for his unique geometric configurations, has always been a wanderer. Reluctant to stay in one place for long, he was constantly on the move. Born in Kumaranellur in the Palakkad district, Narayanan spent his formative years in Madras (now Chennai), before moving to Delhi and Mumbai in search of better opportunities. In 1967, he relocated to Paris with a single-minded devotion to make it big in the art world. For the last 57 years, the faces, colors, and textures of the City of Lights, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene, have formed the heart of his creative expression.

Five decades have passed since the veteran painter made Paris his second home, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene through his diverse and profound works. Akkitham lives on the second floor of an apartment in the southern part of the city, established by the French government to offer an idyllic space for musicians, scholars, writers, painters, and other artists seeking a quiet place to work undisturbed on their art.

Currently, the building houses around 30 artists from across the world. A nominal rent is collected from the occupants every month. The home boasts plush wood interiors. "I designed and handcrafted most of the furniture to make sure they are tailored to my tastes," Akkitham says.

He converted the upper portion of one of the rooms into an art studio, creating a productive and artistic space in his home. The sprawling space with a high roof is crammed with frames, rolled-up canvases, paint boxes, and brushes. Sitting amid his latest paintings and a number of unfinished artworks, Akkitham reflects, "Paris has always attracted artists from around the world. I came here to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts on a government scholarship. After completing my studies, I decided to spend the rest of my life in this city."

When asked about Kerala, his excitement was palpable. "Every year, I visit Kerala two or three times without fail. The visits to our ancestral house, where my elder brother Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri (the late poet and essayist) lived all his life, bring back fond memories of our childhood. I'm 86 now and the journey still continues."

His wife Sachiko is from Japan. Sachiko, a pianist, also came to Paris to pursue higher studies on a scholarship. Their son Agnisharman is a sound engineer.

Akkitham minced no words in stating his opinion when asked about the younger generation of artists. "I think most of them are abnormal. Art is no longer created just for art's sake. Everything in this world is business nowadays. Probably, the younger generation might consider me an abnormal person. Times have changed," he ends the conversation with a tinge of disappointment.