Edappal: KM Vasudevan Namboothiri (98), popularly known as Artist Namboothiri, who skillfully portrayed the essence of Malayalam and Kerala life through his distinctive artistic style, passed away on Friday at 12.10 am. He was admitted to Kottakkal Aster Mims hospital.

His body will be kept for public homage at his house in Naduvattom till 12 pm and later at Lalithakala Akademi, Thrissur. Cremation is at 5 pm on Friday at his ancestral house in Naduvattom.

Born on September 13, 1925 to Parameswaran Namboothiri and Sreedevi Antharjanam of Karuvattillam, Ponnani in Malappuram district, he displayed an extraordinary talent for art from a young age. He nurtured his skills by sketching on the sand of his backyard. 

He pursued his studies in painting at the Fine Arts College, Chennai. Under the guidance of renowned artists like Roy Chaudhury and KCS Paniker, he honed his painting skills. 

From 1960, he began contributing his art to Mathrubhumi Weekly, Kala Kaumudi and Samakalika Malayalam. His portrayals of women are published by Mathrubhumi Books as ‘Namboothiriyude Sthreekal’. He worked for Mathrubhumi for 21 years.

Namboothiri was honoured with the prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Award, state film award for art director for the film "Utharayanam" and the state children's literature award, among others. His collection of paintings depicting Kathakali artists garnered admiration and praise. He also penned an autobiographical book titled "Rekhakal." He had served as the chairman of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.

He also illustrated numerous novels and stories by acclaimed authors including MT Vasudevan Nair, VKN, Thakazhi, SK Pottekkatt, and Punathil Kunjabdulla.

He showcased exceptional talent in painting and sculpture. Namboothiri's artwork uniquely captures the spirit and nuances of Malayalam life, evoking a sense of nostalgia and connection among viewers. His portrayal of local culture, everyday scenarios, and vibrant characters resonated deeply with the people of Kerala. Through his art, he captured the essence of the region, leaving an indelible mark on the artistic landscape. His contributions as an artist garnered him immense popularity, as his paintings could be instantly recognized, even without vibrant colours.

Namboothiri resided in Naduvattom along with his younger son Vasudevan and their family. Wife: Mrinalini; children: Parameswaran and Vasudevan. Daughters-in-law: Uma and Sarita.