Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 7 (IANS): One of Kerala’s popular sculptors popularly known as the ‘Lord Shiva of Line Drawings’ – K. Vasudevan Namboothiri passed away at a private hospital in Malappuram where he was being treated for breathing issues. He was 97.

Expressing grief over his passing away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Namboothiri will always be remembered through his historical works. “His works which blended history and culture will always be remembered. Am deeply pained by his passing away and in this hour of grief my thoughts are with his family,” Modi tweeted in Malayalam.

Namboothiri often used to say he was influenced by the sculptures at the Sukapuram temple near his house and developed an urge to draw and mould the sculptures. Soon he joined the Government College of Fine Arts, in Chennai where he had the opportunity to study under Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury.

He returned to Kerala to join Mathrubhumi weekly as a staff artist in 1960 and continued till 1982 during which he illustrated the literary works of most of the major writers in Malayalam including Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Kesavadev, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Uroob, S. K. Pottekkatt, Edasseri Govindan Nair, and others.

In 1982, he moved to Kalakaumudi weekly where he provided illustrations for some more time before shifting to Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika of The New Indian Express.

In between he dabbled in the Malayalam film industry and in 1974, he won the Kerala State Film Award for the best art director in the film ‘Uttarayanam’ directed by the legendary film maker Aravindan.

Remembering him, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Namboothiri’s creativity will be immortal as he has given life to so many characters and will be etched in the minds of all and he is irreplaceable. The last rites will be held later on Friday at his home district in Malappuram.