Mohanlal Recalls Five Year Wait for Namboodiri’s Divine Soundarya Lahari Painting
Actor’s patience rewarded with a masterpiece from legendary artist.
At the inaugural Artist Namboodiri Samman ceremony in Kochi on Saturday, Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal captivated the audience with a heartfelt tale of patience, artistry, and reverence for the legendary artist Namboodiri. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner, known for his deep connection to art and culture, shared a poignant memory of waiting five years for a painting inspired by a sloka from the Soundarya Lahari, a work that ultimately became a cherished masterpiece.
The story began on the sets of Vanaprastham, where Mohanlal first forged a bond with Namboodiri, captivated by the artist’s ability to weave profound emotion into his strokes. Inspired, Mohanlal approached Namboodiri with a bold request: to create a painting based on a Soundarya Lahari sloka, rich with divine imagery and intricate characters. The actor meticulously explained the verse’s essence, and Namboodiri, intrigued, agreed to take on the challenge. What followed, however, was an unexpected test of patience.
“Namboodiri promised to try, but years passed with no painting,” Mohanlal recounted with a smile. “When we met, he’d dodge me, later confessing he was struggling to complete it and wondered why I hadn’t pressed him.” Mohanlal, understanding the complexity of the task, chose not to rush the artist. “I told him I knew it was a difficult creation,” he said, reflecting his respect for Namboodiri’s process.
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The breakthrough came unexpectedly in Kozhikode, when Namboodiri requested brushes and paint. Soon after, the long-awaited painting arrived—a breathtaking depiction of the sloka’s divine vision. Overwhelmed, Mohanlal recalled, “I took his fingers and placed them on my head, seeking his blessings. That moment is etched in my heart.” The painting, a testament to Namboodiri’s genius, became a treasure in Mohanlal’s collection of nearly 150 of the artist’s works.
Years later, Mohanlal requested another piece—a Gandharvan. When Namboodiri visited the actor’s home and saw the Soundarya Lahari painting displayed, he humbly asked, “Did I draw that?” The moment, Mohanlal noted, revealed the artist’s profound humility, a quality as striking as his talent. “His lines and strokes are not just art; they give me strength and courage,” Mohanlal said, his voice heavy with emotion.
Mohanlal’s collection of Namboodiri’s works stands as a testament to their bond and the artist’s enduring legacy. The Soundarya Lahari painting, born from years of patience and trust, remains a symbol of artistic devotion, capturing the divine through Namboodiri’s masterful strokes. At the ceremony, Mohanlal’s tribute underscored the timeless connection between art and emotion, leaving the audience in awe of both the actor’s reverence and Namboodiri’s unparalleled artistry.
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