Dear Friends,
Udayakumar
(aged 40) is a great artist, a differently abled person with
extra-ordinary talent. Even as he was a child, he was afflicted with
MASCULAR DYSTROPHY. But on account of his grit and determination, he
managed to reach up to matriculation, way back in 1990. But, for the
past many years, he is bedridden and he can only move just 2 fingers,
that too very little. He can hardly be audible while speaking. He takes
only liquid diet for the past many years, because his throat and mouth
and internal muscles don't work. His mother makes a banana milkshake,
which has been his feed-stock. If it is rice or dhal diet, it has to be
put in a mixie, made into a liquid and poured into the throat. He has
totally shrunk into a small body. but, he is a living wonder.
His aged
father and mother have been somehow maintaining him and protecting him.
But, because they have to physically shift him, brush him, bathe him,
feed him, dress him, etc, their health has also deteriorated. 38 years
of battling with him has taken a toll on his mother. She has extreme
condition of osteoarthritis and her bones have also degenerated and goes
through unimaginable trauma in protecting him with passion. Its an
extra-ordinary love story and bonding between mother and a son. She has
been advised total knee replacement by surgeons which the poor family
cannot afford. It is a matter of time before mother Shanthakumari
becomes bed-ridden, according to my assessment. Then, there will be
nobody to take care of Uday, if at all this twisted bundle of talent
continues to live as he is a lively being.
With just
his two fingers, he has done so many remarkable paintings - water
colour, oil on canvass, acrylic etc. He has done lot of landscape,
Seascape, Abstracts and horses. 'Horse' has been his regular theme, may
be because of his profound disability. He is so knowledgeable about
paintings and painters. He is a class-apart and talented. Three years
ago, I brought Actor Sivakumar to his house to meet with him. Sivakumar
was very happy to spend time with him and Udayakumar cherishes the
visit of this VIP. Sivakumar arranged for an exhibition of his paintings
along with another event. That was once.(Unfortunately, I don't have any soft copy of his paintings, now)
That's it.
But, before and after this, his life has been event-less and
unbelievably lonely. His only contact with fellow beings is through
television. There have not been any visitors to his home. Now, there are
some simple but urgent tasks that can be done to assist this
extra-ordinary talent, before it is too-late. Please understand that
Udayakumar has mascular disability of 99%. But, his brain works 200%,
that too overtime. His room is like a prison and he has hardly moved
out of his bed for the past several years.
I suggest
friends to just visit him and get astonished by seeing his paintings.
All that needs to keep him alive and do few more paintings before fate
catches up with him inevitably is just companionship and a word of
encouragement. May be, someone can come forward to catalog his
paintings, frame them, document them and even put up exhibitions and
sale, if possible. That can help his family for their medical expenses
for mother and son. And the outside world can know and appreciate his
unbelievable artistic talent. Please spread the word about him. And if you are feeling low, a visit to Uday's house and seeing his paintings will charge your batteries.
Udayakumar lives in the following address.
Udyakumar, s/o V.Shanthakumari, 225, St.Antony Nagar, Kallikuppam, Ambattur, Chennai - 53. mobile: 8754495903.
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