Meet Multifaceted Personality Belle Padmanabha Nayak, humble artist, teacher

By Ashwin Lawrence Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, Aug 06, 2014 : Belle Padmanabha Nayak, who worked as office assistant and Hindi teacher at St Lawrence Pre-University College, Moodubelle, near here for 33 years is a personification of simplicity.

 

Padmanabha makes the best of his retirement in freely teaching arts to the students of St Lawrence Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle, near here.

 

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

He is ever enthusiastic even during his retirement by painting, loving environment, sensible farmer and distinctly cultured individual in mentoring youth in pursuing his hobbies.

 

Moodubelle’s renowned photojournalist Sridar Shettigar Karandady, Padubelle – Narayana Guru School alumni Association director Richard Danti Pamboor and young intellectual Prashant Benala set about in taking the interview of Padmanabha. 

 

When we reached Padmanabha’s home, his wife placed hot tea and snacks on a table in front of us.  We forgot our mission for awhile to savor the tea on a chilly day.

 

Padmanabha who did not wanted to boast about himself denied to be interviewed and said, ’I am just an artist and I have great satisfaction in this regard.  I have never been after honor throughout my life,’ said Padmanabha. Although it was difficult to get an interview with Padmanabha, he obliged our request to show his paintings just because two of interviewers were his old students.  He took us to a room filled with paintings.

 

The paintings indeed transpired us to different world altogether.  Every painting was trying to unravel its hidden message.  Sridar Shettigar captured the pics of precious paintings in his camera that are posted here.

 

The renowned artist G R Upadhyaya expressed happiness over Padmanabha’s paintings that were displayed during state-level NSS camp held at Moodubelle, near here.

 

In this midst of painting display, when the Belle Padmanabha Nayak  was drawn into conversation, he spoke on key issues of greater significance:

 

Be universal human being  

 

None is born belonging to a caste or religion, while the society segregates on the basis of age old practices.  The human being born free to live in peace is confined to caste, religion and status as he/she grows up.  It makes him difficult to explore and in the process he develops hatredness.  It also takes violent form.  The need of the hour is to be humane in this world.  Humanity is essential for mankind. 

 

Teachers need to be respected

 

Padmabha retired as teacher after putting in several years of teaching.  He loves his students and has great respect to his teachers as well.  He has high regrd for Matte Subba Rao and Sridar Acharya.  The education brings out inherent knowledge.  Education is not a trade.  Teaching is not a profession; instead teacher is god who satiates the hunger of student for knowledge and that leads to earning.

 

Self sufficiency key to life

 

The self sufficiency in life is essential, one should beg instead earn his own living.  The living at others cost not worthy (Padmanabha daily toils in his farm from dawn till evening.  He consumes whatever grows in his farm.  He follows his ancestors virtue with total dedication)

 

Indian culture superior indeed 

 

Indian culture is superior in the world.  It has emphasized human values that ought to be fostered by the new generation of Indians.  We oppose invasion of foreign forces, but we keep mum for daily attacks on our culture in the guise of modernity.  Its unjustified.

 

Yoga

 

Our ancestors believed in Sanskrit shloka, Sarva Janah Sukhino Bhavantu (let the mankind live in peace and harmony). They lived healthy lives for many years with the graces of God.  Yoga was the powerful means that they mastered to live healthy longer lives.  Yoga has scientifically proven its health benefits and its followed by westerners. 

 

We and society

 

The society has different facets, while one has to live in harmony with all.  The social reform opens our minds to lead better live on earth.  Don’t think about how many people will support me in waging a struggle, because the history has proved that all the struggles and social reform began with just one person.

 

To conclude, the simplicity and courtesy of Padmanabha is an example for everyone to lead our lives.  One should be modest at the peak success of our life, like a branch burdened with fruits always leans on the ground.  Meanwhile, if one forgets this, there would not be anyone to support at his misfortune.