Creativity at its best
It is Diwali time and the dusty Tenkasi town was painted red. All roads led to the Bharathan theatre where Daiva Magan, a Sivaji Ganesan starer was just released. Among the crowed was the 15 year old Perumal who later went on to see the film 20 times more. Today, after 31 years, the same Perumal (46), has no time to go to movies. Believe it or not, he has never been to the theatre for the last 17 years. The reason, he has become a Stapathy, and a disciple of Ganapathi Stapathy, the Chennai based master artisan - sculptor - writer - Vaastu scholar.

"I feel that I am only a novice in front of my Guru, I am nothing. It is all my Guru's grace. Always, I obey him. I do have no time for any other activities, or entertainments" says Perumal whose magical fingers have given birth to many a marvelous idols.

Perumal who was born at Thrissur in Kerala had no idea on sculpture when he came to Chennai in '72. Under the guidance of Ganapathi Stapathi, scores of shilpis were brought from different parts of Tamil Nadu. And, that was the period when Kalaikootams and Mandrams were coming up at Poompuhar. Mamallapuram was agong with activities and the shilpis had a professionally satisfying time. Here, Ganapathi Stapathi spotted the innate talent of Perumal. "You stay here with me" were the words that changed his life. Now after more than 26 years of association with Ganapathy Stapathy Perumal has reached dizzying heights.

"I could read his (Guru's) heart, his taste, his mind and expectations . He is a clever taskmaster, yet surprisingly lovable. Even today, I am afraid of him; he can smell even the slightest errors" Perumal quips.

Perumal's magnum opus is a 10 feet tall Anantha Padmanabha Swami with serpent, is presently at Shiva Vishnu Temple, USA. For the Lakshmi Narayana Temple in London, his sensitive fingers created three remarkable icons, all five feet tall - Mahalakshmi, Vishnu and Hanuman. Perumal's icons in the Batu Caves and the Mariamman Temple in Malaysia too have won him laurels.

Interestingly, most of the idols that took shape at his home at Mamallapuram are now in foreign lands, blessing the Indian community there. The Valli Murugan and Dwarapaalakas of Rama Temple of Chicago, five feet tall Dhandapani Murugan in Fiji Island, eight feet tall Venkateswara in the New Jersey Temple in USA speaks volumes of his intrinsic creativity and his genius. For the Siva, Vishnu temples at St. Louis, USA, alone, he has given nearly 20 idols, big and small.

Kamban, Valluvar, Ilango, Agastyar; all were given life in stone, by his adroit tools. For the TVS group (a leading south Indian industrial house) alone he has created and supplied more than 25 idols. (TVS has been doing a great job of constructing temples all over Tamil Nadu, silently). And the humble sculptor dedicates these all to his mentor Ganapathi Stapathi.

Perumal has three children Sundari, Mallai Rajan and Krishnamurthy.

By Shyam Krishnan

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