‘He shared a close connection with nature’

Since Nandagopal and I lived next door, he soon became my inspiration and guide. When I started my career, he would take me to buy materials, while narrating stories from the past. I would accompany him during his visits to the city, where he got his bronze casting done. We have spent many hours in my studio, where he appreciated my work. 

I follow his advice even today. When I was a budding artist, he would tell me that constant practice is the key – a lesson he had learnt from his father. Nandagopal would tell me that the amount of time you spend in front of a canvas reflect in the duration which a person spends in viewing your work. ‘Don’t wait for tomorrow,’ he would say. He would often stress on the importance of documentation and I learnt a lot from him. For me, Nandagopal was a hard-working person, who was always in the studio. His industrious nature was an inspiration to all of us. As a person, he wanted everything done immediately. Be it the book on Cholamandal or permanently documenting the exhibits in the museum, he finished all the tasks he had undertaken. There are very few people who can work tirelessly for a common cause — Nandagopal was one of them. 

Nandagopal was a friendly person – who loved books, art and music. He was a social person, liked by all. He had a close commune with nature. He admired birds and knew the names of the species. He was also fond of cats and dogs, of which he had many in his house and studio. His morning ritual would include feeding crows and calling up his friends. If I get a call at 6.30 am, I knew it would be him on the line.  Nandagopal wanted everything to happen quickly and like in life, his death too, was quick. Around 8 pm on April 14, I got a call from Pallavi, his daughter. When I rushed to his house, he was no more. His last rites were conducted on April 15 in Besant Nagar. As a community of artists, we will all miss him. We hope to continue his  good work.