P K Mahanandia
| P.K. Mahanandia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia 1949 Athmallik, Angul, Odisha, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater |
College of Art, Delhi Government College of Art and Crafts Khallikote |
| Spouse(s) | Ann-Charlotte Mahanandia Von Schedvin (m. 1975) |
| Children | Siddharth, Emelie[1] |
| Website |
pkmahanandia |
Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia (born 1949) usually referred to as Dr. P.K. Mahanandia, India-born Swedish artist famous for his 4 months and 3 weeks journey by a second hand bicycle from New Delhi to Gothenburg in 1977 to meet his love Charlotte Von Schedvin.
Early life and Education
P.K. Mahanandia was born on 1949 in an Odia weaver family, in Kandhapada village of Athmallik Sub-division in the district of Dhenkanal, Odisha, India. He did schooling at Mahendra High School, Athmallik and then joined Visva-Bharati to study art, despite his selection at the art school, it became impossible to pay the fee and he had to return home.[2] He later joined Government College of Art and Crafts Khallikote, Odisha to study art. To satisfy his quest for art he joined College of Art, Delhi to study Fine Arts in 1971.
Portraiture and meeting Charlotte
Pradyumna fondly called as PK was an expert in making portraits. While studying in Delhi College of Art, he shot into fame as portraiture by drawing the portrait of Indira Gandhi. He sought permission from authorities to sit under holy fountain at Connaught Place and draw portraits.[3] It is here that he met Charlotte. She was a student in London who had driven all the way to India on a van in 22 days went to visit PK, to make a portrait of her. Making of that portrait changed the life of both as they fell in love with each other and married after. Charlotte had to return to Sweden and asked Pradyumna to come with her, but he decided that someday he would go on his own. After she left, the two kept in touch through letters.
Later life
PK and Lotta(name given by PK to Charlotte) married again in 1979. They have a son Siddharth(Karle) a daughter Emelie. They are currently living in Charlotte's home town Borås.
My tribe worshiped the forces of nature – fire, air, water - we did not personify them. My blues are the real sky; my greens are the nature as she is. To my motherland’s people, the sun is the highest God, the God of creation and life. The faces? Faces fascinate me. In every face there are a million different faces, a million different expressions. I want to penetrate this mystery – why are there all these expressions? What is the true nature of man? Art can reveal it to us.[4]
Recognition
Pradyumna is well known in Sweden as an artist and is working as an Adviser, Art and Culture, under the Swedish Government. Swedish Government in honour of their love has made films to document this immortal love of the century. His paintings have been exhibited in major cities of the world and have found places in the prestigious UNICEF greeting cards. On 4 January 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree (Degree of Honoris Causa) from Utkal University of Culture (UUC) in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha state, India. He was also designated as the Oriya Cultural ambassador to Sweden by the Government of Odisha.[5] Renowned Bollywood film maker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is planning to make a film on the love story of PK Mahanandia and Charlotte.[6]
References
- ↑ Singh, Sanjam Preet (14 Feb 2013). "Love in the time of hate". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ Rawat, Vidya Bhushan. "P.K. Mahanandia: Salute To A Living Legend". Countercurrents.org. Countercurrents.org. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ Samal, R P (27 Aug 2010). "Two Angels on Earth and Their Life Path". facenfacts. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ "P.K. Mahanandia- The Artist of International Repute". liveodisha. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ "Honorary Doctorate to PK Mahanandia". SASNET. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ↑ Desk, FnF (15 Sep 2010). "Bhansali plans movie on 'Two Angels' real Love Story". facenfacts. Retrieved 21 July 2013.