Thu Oct 09 17:53:56 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Timeless Art of Illustrator Maniam Celebrated in New Book Release**
**CHENNAI -** A new coffee-table book, “The Complete Artist,” honoring the legacy of iconic illustrator Maniam, was released by The Hindu Group on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The book celebrates the birth centenary of Maniam, best known for his illustrations that brought to life characters in historical novels such as Kalki’s “Ponniyin Selvan” and “Sivagamiyin Sabatham,” as well as Rajaji’s “Chakravarthi Thirumagan.”
The book was unveiled by veteran actor and artist Sivakumar at The Hindu’s headquarters in Chennai. The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group, Lakshmi Natarajan and Seetha Ravi, granddaughters of writer Kalki Krishnamurthy, and art director Thota Tharani.
Sivakumar praised Maniam as a towering artist whose work continues to resonate with readers. He emphasized the enduring impact of Maniam’s illustrations in shaping the visual representation of beloved characters from “Ponniyin Selvan.”
Seetha Ravi highlighted the artistic value and effort behind Maniam’s original illustrations, noting that the book successfully captures their essence.
Maniam’s son, Maniam Selven, collaborated on the book, providing over 400 hand-picked works spanning his father’s career. Selven shared a heartfelt anecdote about his father’s dedication to art and the guidance he received, even after his father’s untimely passing.
Geetha Venkataramanan, the book’s curator, described the project as a nostalgic return to her childhood passion for reading Kalki and other magazines.
“The Complete Artist” is divided into four chapters and is available for purchase at The Hindu’s online bookstore for ₹2,999 as a limited-time launch offer (original price ₹3,999). The book is a fitting tribute to an artist whose work has left an indelible mark on Tamil literature and culture.
First Piper 