Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented a sculpture of the noted Bhairavan Theyyam to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in New Delhi last week.

Designed by Sundaresan Payyannoor, a native of Payyannoor, Kannur, the Bhairavan Theyyam sculpture has now become a national treasure, and a cherished moment for the craftman too. Took two months to complete, the sculpture was created singlehandedly by Sundaresan at Arts and Craft Village, Vatakara. Bhairavan Theyyam is one of the most important ritual arts of North Malabar.

Speaking to Timeline, Sundaresan, the sculpturer of the Theyyam , gifted to MP Modi, said that he feels proud of making the work which was gifted by the Kerala chief minister to Prime Minister Modi.

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Sundaresan, who has been working in Sargaalaya – Kerala Arts and Crafts Village Vatakara for the past seven years, has made many sculptures. It was one of them that which was chosen to gift PM Modi due to its connection with PM Modi’s career or life, he explains.

Sundaresan did the craft of the Bhairavan Theyyam in a single timber, and the work was aesthetically beautiful, leading to its pick for the high-profile gilf.  The artist recalls one such sculpture made by him that was gifted to vice president Jagadeep Dharkar during his visit to Kerala.

Since Sundaresan came to Arts and Crafts Village, he has completed over 500 Theyyam sculptures, as he focuses mostly on Theyyams, though trying some other crafts too. He says his crafts have been gifted to many dignitaries from even overseas.

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Talking about his career, Sundaresan says the reason why he chose the career was that he belonged to such a community or family who traditionally engaged in such craft skills.