On busy OMR, artists K. Yuvaraj and N. Kirubakaran catch the attention of passers-by with their Old Madras series and portraits

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Rajiv Gandhi Salai or Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), this fine arts studio stands as an island of silence.

In the evenings, you can watch artists K. Yuvaraj and N. Kirubakaran, seated in front of their easels, work on an Old Madras series or portraits of people that many visitors seem to take a fancy to.

“People who are on their evening walk or shopping for their daily needs walk in and look at our work. They ask us if we can replicate famous paintings or can draw portraits to be presented as gifts for weddings and housewarming ceremonies. A pencil drawing portrait takes a day to complete,” says Yuvaraj, who has a Masters in Fine Arts. He and Kirubakaran share the space and work.

“Since Madras Day just passed, people have also taken a liking to old Madras paintings. We did some images typical of the city including those with temples, oxen-drawn carts, women in saris and houses with pyols. We are also planning a series on OMR itself,” says Kirubakaran.

The small studio, which stands amongst a row of shops at Mootakaranchavadi, also serves as an art school in the evenings. “People who walk in start asking questions about the paintings and want to know if they can draw and paint like us. Anyone with interest can learn. We get people from the IT field as students. Many of them are women who come in between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. We also teach children during the weekends,” Yuvaraj adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Deepa H. Ramakrishnan / September 05th, 2014