The Hindu Groups coffee-table e book on legendary illustrator Maniam launched

A coffee-table e book, The Complete Artist, showcasing the works of legendary illustrator Maniam, who dropped at life iconic historic characters in Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan and Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Rajaji’s Chakravarthi Thirumagan and Vyasar Virunthu, was launched by The Hindu Group in Chennai on Thursday (October 9, 2025). The e book launch marks the illustrator’s beginning centenary.

Veteran actor Sivakumar, an artist himself, launched the primary copy of the e book, produced in affiliation with Maniam Selven, the son of the late illustrator. The first few copies of the e book had been obtained by Seetha Ravi and Lakshmi Natarajan, granddaughters of legendary author Kalki Krishnamurthy; Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited; and Thota Tharani, artwork director at an occasion held at The Hindu’s headquarters in Chennai.

Mr. Sivakumar described Maniam as a towering artist who, regardless of having lived for under 44 years, achieved the stature of a historic determine. “Kalki [Krishnamurthy] lived solely 55 years and Maniam lived solely 44 years, however each stay timeless legends,” he stated, recalling the illustrator’s 28-year-long profession that started when he was simply 17.

He stated that Maniam’s illustrations for Ponniyin Selvan reworked the best way readers imagined the epic’s characters. “Through his artwork, we noticed Vandiyathevan, Aditya Karikalan, Arulmozhi Varman, Poonguzhali, Nandhini and Kundavai come alive earlier than our eyes,” he stated.

Ms. Ravi stated she had the chance to see Maniam’s unique illustrations and hailed their creative worth and the immense effort behind them. Capturing and presenting their essence on this coffee-table e book was actually outstanding, she stated.

Mr. Selven recalled his first go to to the Kalki journal workplace when he was 5 years previous, alongside together with his father. “Although he achieved a lot in his profession, he couldn’t full his formal schooling as he started illustrating whereas nonetheless a scholar on the School of Arts. Sometimes, he would name me to help him. He lived for under a yr after I joined the College of Fine Arts. But he suggested me to complete my research even when I began my profession as an illustrator early,” Mr. Selven stated.

“When a replica of this e book was given to me for proofreading, I learn it on the very desk the place my father as soon as created his illustrations. I felt he continued to information me as a silent instructor,” Mr. Selven stated.

Geetha Venkataramanan, curator of the e book, stated, “Working on this e book was a surreal expertise for me. I really feel as if the wheel has come full circle. I started studying Kalki and different magazines on the age of ten on the Kasturi Srinivasan Library. It felt like returning to my childhood.”

Suresh Nambath, Editor, The Hindu; L.V. Navaneeth, Chief Executive Officer, The Hindu, relations of Maniam, R. Srinivasan, Head – Magazines and Special Publications, The Hindu, had been amongst these current.

The coffee-table e book, divided into 4 chapters, is a visible deal with with over 400 works of Maniam hand-picked by Mr. Selven. The e book is priced at ₹3,999 and is now out there at ₹2,999 for a restricted time frame as a launch provide. The e book may be bought at The Hindu’s on-line bookstore at publications.thehindugroup.com/bookstore/