Namboothiri
1925–2023 · Indian line artist, illustrator and copper relief sculptor
Karuvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri (Ponnani, Kerala, 1925 – 2023), known as Artist Namboothiri or simply Namboothiri, was an Indian painter and sculptor best known for his line drawings and copper relief works. He was one of India's most prolific literary illustrators, working mainly for writers in the Malayalam language.
Born in Ponnani, in Malappuram district, he trained in Chennai at the Government College of Fine Arts, where he came under the influence of K. C. S. Paniker. In 1960 he joined the newspaper Mathrubhumi as a staff artist, staying until 1982 and illustrating writers such as Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, M. T. Vasudevan Nair and S. K. Pottekkatt. He later worked for Kalakaumudi and for the weekly Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika.
After leaving Mathrubhumi he also turned to copper relief, producing series such as Lohabharata, based on episodes of the Mahabharata. His character drawings led V. K. N. to call him the Paramashivan of line sketches. His legacy includes the Raja Ravi Varma Award from the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, which he received in 2003 and whose chairmanship he held twice.