Through the shades of life

KOCHI: It felt like God had willed the worst for Siju when he was detected with an incurable genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy. His parents were forewarned that with time his muscles would weaken and subsequently his  mobility too would be impaired. Siju did face many of these health issues, if not all. Yet, he was determined not to feel demoralised, and at the same time was keen to make his mark. It is this passion that one gets to see in his exhibit of glass paintings named ‘Nirachillu’, that will be on at Durbar Hall till Sunday. The specialty of Siju’s art pieces is that it blends canvas styles into the glass paintings. “Even in glass painting I wanted to bring the canvas painting effect by experimenting with different colours,” says Siju, who even to walk a small distance needs the help of two friends.Under such trying circumstances, one would imagine that it is easy to lose  faith in God.  However, Siju has a number of glass paintings of Jesus Christ, Lord Ganesha and Krishna displayed at the exhibition. That apart, Siju has also recaptured many of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings  on his pieces.Among the 40 pieces on display, shades of blue and pink colours are the recurring ones. Ask him about this and he says, “I like to paint in brighter shades. They are eye-catching and light up the place. It could also be the influence of my artist friends from college, ” says this alumnus of Maharaja’s College. Siju has also had the desire to study further.  “I always wanted to become an Ayurveda doctor but my physical health was a hindrance. I chose to do BHMS though,” says Siju, a homeopathy doctor who passed out from Shree Vidyadhiraja Homoeopathic Medical College, Nemom. Now this doctor wants to set up a clinic at his home in Arookutty. “My family and friends are my biggest supporters.  Even during college days, my friends never left me alone. Wherever they went, they would carry me along,” says Siju.Though this is his first painting exhibition, he has had a passion for the art since long and has even won several awards. Now, Siju is planning to do oil paintings with the Mullaperiyar issue as one of the themes. “I don’t want to sit idle at any time. Even the doctors ask me to keep my muscles working which is the only partial cure for this disease. I can buy more time by keeping myself busy.” he says. When a couple of years ago he got a tendon injury, his doctors had advised him to use a wheelchair but his undeterred will power wouldn’t let him do so. “If I had opted to use the wheelchair, I would have been bed ridden forever,” adds Siju.