Art critic, writer Vijayakumar Menon dies

THRISSUR: Eminent art critic and writer Vijayakumar Menon (76), who had a kidney ailment and was undergoing dialysis for quite some time, died at a private hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
The son of Chettakkal Madhom Karthyai Amma and Ananthan Pillai from Elamakkara took his MA degree in art history from Baroda University. Subsequently, he taught art history and aesthetics in different arts colleges in Kerala.
Menon authored several books including Aadhunika Kaladarshanam, Ravi Varma, Bharatiya Kala Irupatham Noottandil, Sthalam Kalam Kala, Chitrakala: Charithravum Reethikalum, Bharatiya Kala Charithram in Malayalam.He also wrote A Brief Survey of the Art Scenario of Kerala, Raja Ravi Varma Classics and Kanayi Kunhiraman: Authenticating Objectivity. He had translated literary masterpieces like The Chairs by Eugène Ionesco, Blood Wedding by Federico García Lorca and The Maids by Jean Genet.
Menon won several awards including Kerala Sahithya Academy Award, Lalithakala Academy Award, Kesari Award and GN Pillai Endowment Award. He was selected for the fellowship of Kerala Lalithakala Academy, but he returned it following some controversies.
Noted poet KG Sankara Pillai recalled that Menon was an eminent art historian and art interpreter and was one of few people who had studied Indian art with dedication, after the legends like Ananda Coomaraswamy. He could articulate his views in simple, but erudite style. Menon explored the relationship between art and literature. Menon, who was unmarried, was staying at Jnana ashram near Wadakkancherry. His body will be kept at Kerala Lalithakala Academy from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday. Subsequently, it will be handed over to Amala Medical College for studies by medical students.