“The object isn't to make art, it's to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” “I don't paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality.” “I would rather die of passion than of boredom.” “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”
A sense of honour, respect and gladness enveloped me
when I met Mr Prasad Natarajan for the first time during
my photography tour of Sundarbans - The land of swamped tiger in West Bengal.
Inspired by nature, his love towards all living creatures has made him passionate to
take art as a profession.
Armed with his camera he feels elated to sit be it next to hoskote lake amidst
skyscrapers in Silicon city of Bangalore, or mangroves of Sundarbans or waiting for a raptor in the scorching heat in desert of
Rajasthan !
Though the fact is, to photograph an object, the eye behind the viewfinder is
important !
Whereas to sketch it on a sheet of paper it takes hours.!
He adds ' A close observation and concentration is important to bring anything
into art form.He has to burn the midnight oil taking 60 - 70 hrs to complete a image or a couple of days too.
During bird watch at Lakkavalli, Karnataka when he spotted a lone bird perched on
a wooden stump at a distance. He zoomed in with his camera.“I saw the white and
brown feathers of the Osprey and almost jumped out of my skin with excitement.
It was my dream to spot it and that was a moment of fulfilment. I sketched
it for an hour and by the time I was done, there was a heavy downpour
and the bird was gone, ” recollects the wildlife artist.
A Child Prodigy
At the age of 40 Mr Prasad goes down the memory lane and says that, there are
many influencers on my artistic journey. Foremost, my late mother, who recognized my inclination to art at 3 and encouraged me through her life. Then my primary school art teacher, Hemant Sir, who taught me to draw cats, dogs, etc. My first proper introduction to animal art was from him. As I grew up reading comics from the local government library, Georges Prosper Remi illustrations from Tintin captivated my interest in story-telling illustrations. Later in my teens, searching for an art mentor in the early internet era, I wrote emails to many artists all over the world. Only to hear from international wildlife artist Mr. Pip McGarry. His in-depth response guiding me on how to become an excellent artist is something I follow even today.
Later, in my late twenties, I became an avid reader of art history and works of Albrecht Durer, Rembrandt and Caravaggio, to name a few, have had a profoundeffect on my art practice.With introduction to social media, I learned from
award-winning artist Jan Martin McGuire through her online video classes.
He is the key person to start AWN - Artists for Wildlife and Nature, an online
platform started by Bengaluru-based Prasad Natarajan and is an effort aimed at
bringing such artists together. He has done camps in Kudremukh, Ranganathittu
Bird sanctuary for the aspirants. His professional credentials can be found here
Internationally renowned artist, prasad has been working with National and international organisations on various assignments,his works have been exhibited in international galleries.
He is imparting knowledge to the desired through online classes and workshops, as guest faculty.He adds, today's younger generation are keen to learn art.But more lack patience and observation.They desire to achieve success in a short period !
This multifaceted personality, an engineer turned Photographer, artist,Illustrator
Body builder and poet needs more recognition.He is just back from Mangroves of
Sundarbans Photography tour, with GB's of Photographs and memories to cherish !
Though sighting a 3 swamped tigers was a lifer for him.He recalled his visit of 2005 and expresses his concern
in his poetry he penned on elusive cat.
This poem is based on the lady’s encounter with a man-eater of Sundarbans. Sundarbans gets its name from its Sundari trees. These thick forests have been home for the Royal Bengal tigers.
In this place both man and tigers live together fighting the battle for survival.Increasing human population as increased the encounters between man and beast.The tales of these survivors of such encounters is really hearting to hear.However the tigers are fighting a losing battle with man.As the darkness unfolds,From hundred years, about him stories have been told,I still had to leave my home to fetch water,For this was a basic need to my family, I had to cater.Walked on the muddy road with bare feet,It was early summer; one could still feel the heat,Crossed the road and reached the paddy field,My heart felt, this year we are going to have good yield.Every step in the paddy field taken, I was cautious,Because he was known to be cruel and ferocious,My heart was pumping hard, hands trembled with fear,Before you realize he could be near.Every grass that moved I thought it could be him,All the devotional songs I knew, started to hum,My decision to fetch water was firm.Crossed the field reached the pond,Saw the scenic beauty, felt nature and man had some bond,Filling the water from the pond, headed back home,With the pot on my head and hip, I moved like a worm.Crossed the paddy field, reached the tip of the muddy road,Behind me I heard a thundering roar,My heart was pumping hard, hands trembled with fear,Before I realized he was near.His eyes shining bright, black strips running from left to right,He made a swift move which gave me a fright,One push and I fell to the ground,His jaws opened wide, his head round.With one big bite I thought my end will come,To him may be I looked like bread Crum,His claws piercing on my hands and legs,His thundering roars tearing my ear drum.At that moment, I wondered from where these villagers appeared,Should be messengers sent from above,To save me from this encounter with the beast,If it was not for them, he would have had a feast.
The villagers saved me from this encounter with the beast,
If it was not for them, he would have had a feast.
The villagers saved me from this encounter with the beast,
If it was not for them, he would have had a feast,
I still have the marks of his claws,
One should live, the other should die, is a jungle law !.
When asked about his next journey, he says
he is working on OWL project and is in lookout for all endangered species.
Wetland birds of India ,Save Sparrow project 22 March 2025 launch
artwork launch by Indian Posts - An Initiative by Goverment of India in concern of endangered species..
The LIST goes on..
When asked about his next plans.He keeps silent for a while and responds
slowly in a feeble voice.I am Visiting South Andamans & Little Andamans for photography tour to
record few endemic species.
Whenever and Whenever you
find him he is either with a Camera or a sketch pad !
Those willing to get in touch with him. Can directly call him or message him.Be it related to Art, Workshop, Any species or project.He is happy to assist.
Mobile number - +91 98451 99480
( If he is not picking your call.Kindly leave a message. Hope you got it. !
He might be somehwhere in the field !
During filedwork at Agumbe - Karnataka
Vishwanath Radhakrishna
