The Hindu Group’s coffee-table book on legendary illustrator Maniam released

A coffee table book, Complete ArtistThe works of legendary illustrator Maniam, who brought iconic historical characters to life in Kalki’s works, are exhibited. Ponniyin Selvan And Sivagamiyin Sabatham and Rajaji Chakravarthi Thirumagan And Vyasar VirunthuPublished by The Hindu Group in Chennai on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The book’s release marks the centenary of the illustrator’s birth.

Veteran actor Sivakumar, who is an artist himself, published the first copy of the book prepared in collaboration with Maniam Selven, the son of the late illustrator. The first few copies of the book were received by Seetha Ravi and Lakshmi Natarajan, grandchildren of legendary author Kalki Krishnamurthy; Nirmala Lakshman, President, The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited; and Thota Tharani, artistic director of an event Hinducompany’s headquarters in Chennai.

Mr. Sivakumar described Maniam as a very important artist who achieved the status of a historical figure despite living for only 44 years. “Get up [Krishnamurthy] “He lived only 55 years, Maniam lived only 44 years, but both of them remained immortal legends,” he said, recalling the 28-year career of the illustrator, which started when he was just 17 years old.

He said of Maniam’s illustrations: Ponniyin Selvan changed the way readers imagined the characters of the epic. “Through his art, we have seen Vandiyathevan, Aditya Karikalan, Arulmozhi Varman, Poonguzhali, Nandhini and Kundavai come alive before our eyes,” he said.

Ms. Ravi said she had the opportunity to see Maniam’s original illustrations and praised their artistic merit and the great effort behind them. Capturing and presenting their essence in this coffee table book is truly remarkable, he said.

Mr. Selven recalled his first visit. get up When he was five years old, he worked with his father in the magazine office. Selven said, “Although he achieved great success in his career, he could not complete his formal education because he started painting while he was still a student at the School of Painting. He would sometimes call me to help him. He only lived for a year after I entered the Faculty of Fine Arts. However, he advised me to finish my education even if I started my career as an illustrator early.”

“When I was given a copy of this book for proofreading, I read it at the table where my father had once made his illustrations. I felt that he continued to guide me as a silent teacher,” Mr. Selven said.

Geetha Venkataramanan, the book’s curator, said: “Working on this book was a surreal experience for me. I feel like the wheel has come full circle. I started reading.” get up and other magazines from the Kasturi Srinivasan Library when I was ten. “I felt like I was returning to my childhood.”

Suresh Nambath, Editor, Hindu; LV Navaneeth, Chief Executive Officer, HinduManiam’s family members, R. Srinivasan, Chief Magazines and Special Publications, Hinduwas among those present.

Divided into four sections, the coffee table book is a visual feast featuring more than 400 Maniam works carefully selected by Mr. Selven. The book is priced at INR 3,999 and is currently available at INR 2,999 as a launch offer for a limited time. The book can be purchased at: Hinduonline bookstore at publications.thehindugroup.com/bookstore/