On June 28, 2023, I lost my only brother Murali Santhanam to the deadly cancer disease. Apart from being a warm human being, a supportive brother, a much loved pillar of his family, he was also a wonderful photographer. He had learnt photography from the first principles from his earliest days as a bachelor. He invested in the best possible equipment and learnt by studying the examples and experimenting. I have, while trying to learn sketching and drawing, tried to draw some of his photographs. There were many more which are beyond my abilities to translate into a drawing. Here are a few of my drawings compiled as a homage to my brother Murali Santhanam.
I believe that he had taken this when he had visited the Bali Islands of Indonesia. He had taken the picture when a solitary shaft of sunlight leaving the surroundings dark. It was almost impossible getting the yellow glow and the shades of the pink blush.
Faber Castell coloured pencils on Brustro Bristol paper.
He had taken this in Rajasthan when he and his friends travelled there with the express intention of capturing the beauty of the desert and the cities. It was an enormous challenge drawing this with coloured pencils. The patterns and the shades of colour that the sand assumed against the slant sun light was mind boggling.
Faber Castell coloured pencils on Brustro Bristol paper.
A stunning photograph of the Atlas statue from the New Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia. He took the photo when he was in Russia on work. I was fascinated by the shades of grey. I wanted to put my graphite pencils to use and see how best the shades can be produced. I drew this in A3 size, framed and gave it to him. He had hung this in the hall with love and pride.
Graphite pencil drawing of a close-up of a leaf. I drew this at least three times afresh before reaching a reasonable stage of satisfaction.
Graphite pencil drawing of a photo he had taken at Hampi. I loved the composition and wanted to draw it to my level best.
Pen, ink and coloured pencil