Kattoor Narayana Pisharody (1908–1983)
Artist K. N. Pisharody, born in October 1908, was a distinguished artist and educator from Kerala. He was the son of Kattoor Pisharath Kunjikkavu Pisharassiar and Anayathu Pisharath Chakrapani Pisharody.
After completing his schooling at the Government School in Thrissur, he earned his B.A. from St. Thomas College and later obtained a B.T. degree from Madras University. He also pursued a diploma course in Art and Painting in Madras, which laid the foundation for his lifelong passion for visual arts.
K. N. Pisharody dedicated over three decades to the teaching profession, eventually retiring in 1963 as the Headmaster of Cheruthuruthy Government School. Alongside his career in education, he nurtured a deep passion for drawing and painting. He excelled in pencil sketches, watercolors, oil paintings, and especially portraiture. One of his early achievements was a color portrait of the King of the Cochin Province, which earned him a gold medal from the impressed monarch.
In addition to school teaching, he served for two decades as a teacher at the Teachers’ Training College. Many of the illustrations in school textbooks during that era were his contributions. His legacy lives on through the murals and paintings that still grace the walls of the B.T. College. He was also a sculptor, working with plaster of Paris to create statues of prominent figures, including a much-appreciated sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi.
Unfortunately, most of his renowned works have not survived, with the exception of his painting of Guruvayoorappan, which was printed and preserved.
After retirement, K. N. Pisharody dedicated himself entirely to the promotion of art. He was instrumental in founding the Kerala Chitrakala Parishath, serving as its first President. He was also closely associated with the Kerala Fine Arts Academy and the Kerala Kalamandalam Committee, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape of the state.
Some of his notable portrait works include those of Vallathol Narayana Menon, Aattoor Krishna Pisharody, E. V. Krishna Pillai, and Punnasseri Nambi. Portraits of his uncles and other relatives, drawn by him, still decorate the walls of his residence “Chitrasala”, standing as a tribute to his artistic legacy.
His wife was Thiruvathra Pisharath Devaki Pisharassiar. He is survived by his sons: Mr. T. Achuthanandan, Dr. T. Sreekumar, and (Late) Mr. T. Harinarayanan.
This illustrious artist and visionary passed away in 1983, leaving behind a lasting imprint on Kerala’s art and education.
