Artist Balan Nambiar’s house in Bengaluru. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Located in some streets within Jaymahal Extension, artist Balan Nambiar’s home studio is. The sunlight sweeps through long windows and hits the glass pictures framed on the walls as Balan passes around the pieces of freshly chopped watermelon for the group gathered in its living room. The window frame includes the detailed steel carvings of its room in 1964 and a painting of Balan, which was three years before joining the Fine Arts College.
Every corner and room of his studio is filled with his sculptures, pictures, catalogs, books and art. Science Gallery, organized by Bangalore, included an attractive and interactive tour led by the artist in Balan’s home studio visitDuring which he explained the process and inspiration behind his work.
A sculpture by Balan Nambiar at the rebel of the show at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in Bengaluru. Photo Credit: K. Fate light
Versatile artist
A painter, sculptor, enamelist, photographer and academic researcher, Balan has worked with light and stainless steel -with various media such as clay, reinforced concrete, enamel, wood, bronze and fiberglass -light and stainless steel. Born in Kannapuram, Kerala, his journey as an artist began with a painting in water and oil, but he soon moved to make sculptures, initially using casting techniques, with concrete and bronze.
Balan sculptures are mainly attracted to symbolism, abstraction and cultural contexts. He says, “My work is not pictures; they are inspired by scripts, culture and real symbols. It was a matter of my educational research.”
One of his idols Germination of a seed A symbol of the formation of an idea and its development reflects the rice plant. “Since I come from a farmer’s family, I have used rice plants symbolically – if you think about the development of an institution, the process is similar to the germination of a seed.”
Statues at artist’s house
Another highly acclaimed work is his series of sculptures in Stainless Steel Mirror idolThe metal installed in the temples of Kerala instead of idols is inspired by mirrors. Some of his other tasks are involved Valampiri Shankha (2000), Memorial for murder (1995), Sculpture(2004) and Unlimited(2010).
Although not professional trained in mathematics, Balan also involves some of his principles in his art. The gold ratio is important in mathematics, nature and art and you can see concepts such as symmetry, spiral and ratio in their actions.
Love to learn
During the tour, a major stop was his enamel paints studio, where he explained the process of making enamel art using colored powder, tools and a self-installed enamel paint baking oven. “I use jewelery enamel colors like gold and silver on copper bases.” He learned technology from his father -in -law Paolo de Poly, an Italian Enamelist and painter.
Silver and copper enamel painting by Balan Nambiar | Photo Credit: Hindu Archives
Balan has also written many photographic features, books and articles to the ancient art of North Kerala, rituals from the state and other research-oriented articles from the state. He has received several awards for the Karnataka State LKA Award in 1980, the National Academy Award in 1981 and the Nehru Fellowship of Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund in 1983-85 for his educational research in 1983-85.
Balan mentions that he spends time reflecting while working on a creative piece. “If there are three things that have affected my creative process and actions, it will be familiar with my reading, travel and academic scholars, in that order.”
His idols, paintings, catalogs, books and art are filled with every corner and room of Balan Nambiar’s home studio.
He believes that anyone creates a task of art through accumulated experiences that goes beyond time to finish the work. “An excellent work may take years or months to finish, but it reflects the experience and learning gained throughout your life.”
Published – 17 June, 2025 01:01 pm IST
