KOCHI: Despite all the hardships he had to undergo in his life, artist Cleetus is a contented man. When you take a stroll into his house at Edavanakkadu, Vypeen, a serene feel envelops you, for what you can see all around are the sculptures and paintings of tranquil looking Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, Holy Family, Pieta and many more. All these works exhort the intensity with which the artist expresses his passion.Painter and sculptor Cleetus decided to respond to his Karma calling when he saw one of his friends drawing on sand when he was just ten-years old. Despite being engulfed with adverse circumstances, he stuck to his decision to become an artist. Though years passed with thousands of outstanding works to his credit, his hardships still know no bounds. "Though I did a lot of works, many a time I literally struggled to make both ends meet," he says.Though Cleetus has 5,000 portraits, 1,500 sculptures, 1,000 paintings, 2,000 hoardings and about 300 garden works to his credit, he is still to get his due. But he does not rant and rave about this."Ultimately, it is the satisfaction and peace of mind you get after a work that really matters. But there are times when people spoof me by not paying the minimal amount I charge for my work. That really hurts," laments Cleetus.He says he commenced his journey without any help from his near and dear ones. But he is happy that he has come a long way. "Struggle has always been my companion. There was not even a single person who encouraged me to pursue the vocation. The reason was quite obvious. It did not provide me any monetary benefits. But I never budged and I am here with great satisfaction," he says.Though he has undergone endless struggles, he is calm and composed when he undertakes works that portray spiritual themes."I am so happy to see my work in many churches and temples in and around Vypeen. It makes me calm and composed. Michael Angelo's Pieta-sorrowful virgin Mary cradling the dead Jesus Christ, done for Pallikkal Manjumatha Church is one such work which gives me the ultimate satisfaction, he says.Crucified Jesus Christ of Devagiri College Chapel, Kozhikode,'The last supper' of St Augustine Church, Kadamakkudi, Pieta of Pallikkal Manjumatha Church, 'Sivaparvathi' of Mahadeva Temple, Ayyambilli, 'Sree Narayana Guru of Edvanakkadu are some of his major works.
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