1. Introduction to Christian art

2. The artist on the move

3. Multifaceted talent

4. The silent man

5. List of works

6. References

7. External links

V. Balan (17 October 1942 – 22 January 2002), popularly known as Artist V. Balan, was a sculptor and painter from India. He was born the son of Chellamma and Venketachelam Pillai in the small temple town of Perumbavoor, Kerala. In 1962 he earned a Diploma from the Cochin School of Art. Immediately after his studies, he started teaching at the same school. In 1970 he moved to Chennai as a freelance artist.

At Chennai, he did his first ever Mosaic Art of the Risen Lord for a chapel of Salesian Provincialate. From 1972 onwards, he started designing the interiors of churches throughout India and acquired fame as an artist and architect of Christian places of worship.

Ten years later he moved to Bangalore and established his studio, Arte Sacra, near the National Biblical, Catechetical and Liturgical Centre.

Introduction to Christian art

For 15 years until 1982 Balan lived in Madras. His talents were versatile, varying from canvas to mosaic, from metal to wood and from sculpture to architecture. He executed Christian works in different parts of the country from the North – Rishikesh in the Himalayas – to the south and even to Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, he renovated the interior of St. Mary's Church at Negombo. He was the chief designer of the interior and the façade of the Stella Maris Cathedral in Port Blair, Andaman Islands. He later did more than 300 works related to churches and religious institutions during his tenure in Madras.

The artist on the move

In 1983 Balan moved from Madras to Kothanur, a peaceful village in the suburbs of Bangalore, where he built his studio, Tapovan. Many disciples attended the training centre, which was set up along with the studio for young artists in simple Gurukula style – Kalakshetra.

Multifaceted talent

Balan was very passionate in painting right through his career. Though Balan is often identified with his characteristic mosaic art, his sculptures reveal his profound artistic talent more than any other medium. "The queen of the apostles" is a unique presentation of the theme at the Shrine of St. Vincent Pallotti, Bangalore. The visualization of "The song of creation" of Francis of Assisi is a relief sculpture with copper finish.

The gigantic relief sculpture measuring 125×42 in the Sanctuary of the St. Vincent Pallotti's Shrine, Banasawadi, Bangalore depicts salvation history from creation to the resurrection as a background to the 45' high resurrection figure and the Christian Community gathered in worship. The sculptor in Balan is clearly seen in the peculiar forms and shapes of altars and tabernacles he has given shape in wood, stone and metal in different churches.

Balan also works in the medium of metal. The peculiar metallic figures and images cast in his studio are a manifestation of his multifaceted talent. Traditional stained glass was another favorite medium of Balan.

The architectural talent in Balan was a natural extension of the artist in him. His clear and detailed drawings for churches are proof of that architectural mettle and precision. He designed and executed many churches in India and abroad.

The silent man

Balan kept away from the limelight and media. He never put a signature on his paintings, mosaics or murals. He was little known as a person and loved his anonymity. He never satisfied with any of his works and always thought it could have been done better.

List of works

1. Saint Mary's Co-Cathedral – George Town, Madras City
2. Saint Mary's School – Madras City
3. Don Bosco Shrine – Madras City
4. Don Bosco School – Perambur, Madras City
5. Don Bosco School Chapel – Egmore, Madras City
6. Diocesan Pastoral Centre – Mylapore, Madras City
7. Kings Fort Convent – Salesian Sisters – Kilpauk, Madras
8. Saint Anne's Generalate Chapel – Madhavaram
9. Saint Anne's Novitiate – Madras City
10. Saint Anne's Chapel – Madras City
11. Saint Anne's Mother House – Madras City
12. Pope John's Garden Chapel – Madras
13. Beatitudes Prayer Room – Madras City
14. Salesian Institute of Graphic Arts – Madras City
15. Parish Church – Meenambakkam
16. Franciscan Sisters' Chapel – Poonamalee, Madras
17. St. Joseph's Technical Institute Basin Bridge – Madras
18. Don Bosco Youth Centre Basin Bridge – Madras
19. Our Lady's Church – Madras
20. Lakshmi Theatre – Pallavaram, Madras
21. Jyothi Theatre St. Thomas Mount – Madras
22. Hotel Palm Grouve – Madras
23. Hotel Gokulam – Madras City
24. Central Health Centre – Madras
25. Franciscan Friary
26. Salesian Provincial House. Madras
27. Parish Church, Porur
28. Bon Succour Convent Chapel. Mylapore
29. Bon Succour Convent Chapel, Pallavaram
30. Fatima Church. Madras
31. Sacred Heart Seminary, Poonamalley
32. Golden Jubilee Facade Madras
33. Sacred Heart Seminary Chapel, Madras
34. St. Isabella Hospital Chapel, Mylapore
35. Stella Matutina College, Ashok Nagar, Madras
36. Parish Church, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Madras
37. St. Joseph's Church, Chengalpet – Tamil Nadu
38. Leena Theatre, Chidambaram – Tamil Nadu
39. Sahayamatha Hospital – Trichy
40. Rosarian Ashram, Manapara, Trichy
41. Sacred Heart Brothers Chapel, Trichy
42. St. Joseph's Church – Jnanolipuram, Madurai
43. Parish Church, Red Hill
44. Don Bosco, K. Pudur, Madurai
45. Don Bosco School Chapel – Varandarajanpet, Tamil Nadu
46. Salesian Aspirantate – Tanjore, Tamil Nadu
47. R.C. Church, Tiruvannamalai
48. Don Bosco Church – Gandhi Nagar, Vellore
49. Hotel Ranga – Vellore, Tamil Nadu
50. St. Joseph Katpadi – Tamil Nadu
51. Snehadeepam, Vellore,
52. Parish Church, Madurapakkam, Tamil Nadu
53. Don Bosco, Chengalpattu (Chingleput), Tamil Nadu
54. Our Lady of Good Voyage, Cheyur, Tamil Nadu
55. Don Bosco, Chingalpet, Tamil Nadu
56. Parish Church, Adilakshmi Nagar, Tamil Nadu
57. S.H. Church, Arakonam
58. Mount Don Bosco, Kotagiri, Nilgiri
59. Don Bosco School Chapel – Pannur, Tamil Nadu
60. Don Bosco Chapel – Tiruppattur, Tamil Nadu
61. St. Charles Sisters Chapel – Tirrupattur, Tamil Nadu
62. Hotel Gokulam – Salem, Tamil Nadu
63. Sacred Heart College Shrine – Tirrupattur, Tamil Nadu
64. Cathedral – Salem
65. The Retreat, Salesian College – Yercaud, Tamil Nadu
66. The Retreat Auditorium – Yercaud
67. Sakti Sugars, Administrative Building – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
68. Hotel Shona – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
69. Salesian Novitiate – Kottagiri, Tamil Nadu
70. Saint Michael's Church – Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
71. Prayer Hall, Don Bosco – Guntur
72. Holy Cross Convent Chapel – Guntur
73. Auxilium Salesian Sisters Chapel – Guntur
74. The Risen Lord Church – Dhubadu, Andhra Pradesh
75. Nirmala Nikethan – Regional Superior House Chapel, Vijayawada
76. Saint Anne's Generalate Chapel – Vijayawada
77. Urvasi Theatre – Vijayawada
78. Don Bosco Mission – Convent Chapel – Ravulapalem, Andhra Pradesh
79. Don Bosco – Ravulapalem
80. Airport Terminal – Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
81. Raja Picture Palace – Vaisag, Andhra Pradesh
82. Saint Antony's Church – Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh
83. Saint Teresa's Church – Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
84. Santhi Nilayam – Hyderabad
85. Saint Anne's Convent Chapel – Hyderabad
86. Salesian Philosophate – Kondadaba, A.P.
87. St. Peter's Cathedral – Gnanapuram
88. Infant Jesus Church – Seefham Dhara. Vaisakh
89. Carmelites Cloistered, Dakshinagiri
90. Nalgonda Cathedral – Andhra Pradesh
91. St. Teresa's Convent Chapel – Hyderabad
92. Salesian Provincialate – Hyderabad
93. Don Bosco School Chapel – Hyderabad
94. St. Anne's Chapel – Hyderabad'
95. Parish Church – Secunderabad
96. St Anne's of Loressame – Regional House, Vijayawada
97. Don Bosco – Vijayawada
98. Pallottine House Chapel – Vijayawada
99. Assumption Church – Vijayawada
100. Don Bosco Provincial House – Mangalagiri
101. St. Michael Orphanage Chapel – Cumur
102. Don Bosco, – Warangal
103. Salesian Sisters Chapel, Gumlur
104. Jmj Provincialate – Gumlur
105. St. Antony's Church – Gumlur
106. St. Joseph's College – Gumlur
107. Jmj College Chapel – Ternali
108. St. Anne's Generalate – Gumlur
109. St. Anne's School – Gumlur
110. St. Anne's Convent – Gumlur
111. Parish Church – Narasimharaopel
112. St Charles' Sisters – A.P
113. Don Bosco House – Ponnur. A.P.
114. The Bishop House – A.P.
115. Salesian College – Karunapuram, Warangal
116. Don Bosco Youth Centre Chapel – Pune, Maharashtra
117. Don Bosco Aspirantate Chapel – Lonavla, Maharashtra
118. Dominic Savio's Chapel – andheri, Bombay
119. Saint Joseph's Chapel – Kurla, Bombay
120. Don Bosco – Nasik, Novitate
121. The Risen Lord Chapel, Salesian Novitiate – Nasik, Maharashtra
122. Palloiti Bhavan, Regional Superior House Chapel – Nagpur
123. Bharathmata Ashram – Kurukshetra, Haryana
124. Don Bosco – Pune
125. Tabor Ashram – Kalyan, Maharashtra
126. Pallotti Bhavan Seminary Hills – Nagpur
127. Cmi House – Pune
128. Kohima Cathedral, Nagaland
129. Pune Cathedral, Pune
130. Csst Generalate, Bangalore
131. St. Anne's Provincial House, Bangalore
132. Capuchin Provincial House, Bangalore
133. Jmj Provincial House, Bangalore
134. Dharmaram College – Bangalore. Karnataka
135. Don Bosco Salesian Provincial House Bangalore
136. St. Anne's Novitiate – Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore
137. Salesian Sisters Novitiate – Avalahalli, Bangalore
138. Saint Joseph The Leon's Novitiate, Bangalore
139. Saint Joseph's Cathedral – Chikmagalur, Karnataka
140. Saint Antony's Cathedral – Bellary, Karnataka
141. Suvidya College Msfs, bangalore
142. St. Francis De Sules Church, Bangalore
143. St. John Medical College, Bangalore
144. Adoration Sisters of Holy Spirit, Carmelaram
145. A V P Carmelaram
146. Carmel Theological Centre, Carmelaram
147. Christ King School, Bangalore
148. St. Casper Bhavan, Dharmaram, Bangalore
149. Dharmaram Faculty of Theology, Bangalore
150. Yuvaprajothiny, Bangalore
151. Holy Cross Fathers Novitiate, Bangalore
152. Pavithratma, Study Centre, Holy Spirit Sisters, Bangalore
153. Pious Disciples of Divine Mater, St. Mark Rd. Bangalore
154. Viswadeep, Catechetical Centre, Bangalore
155. Salesian Sisters Novitiate, Bangalore
156. Christu Jyothi, Bangalore
157. Batram Fathers, Bangalore
158. Teresian Carmelites Ctc, Bangalore
159. Prima Mandira Canossian Sisters Provincialate, Bangalore
160. Capuchin Provincialate, Rajajl Nagar
161. White Missionaries, Vimalalaya, Bangalore
162. Vimalahridaya, Bhairalhi, Bangalore
163. St. Norbert Bhavan, Bangalore'
164. St. Vincent Pallotti Shrine, Bangalore
165. Sacred Heart Brothers, Bangalore
166. Icm Sisters. Bangalore
167. St. Mary's School, Frosu Town
168. JMG Oldage Home, Bangalore
169. Sannidhi, MSFS Novitiate, Mysore
170. Angaly Ashram, Chamundi Hill, Mysore
171. Don Bosco, Sreeramapuram, Mysore
172. Old Priest House, gonikoppa, Koorg
173. Dominican Sisters Novitiate, Pakshikari, Mangalore
174. Dominican Fathers Chapel, Mangalore
175. Shrine of Infant Jesus, Mangalore
176. Capuchin Provincialate. Kochi
177. Punalur Cathedral, Kerala
178. Don Bosco Bhavan Chapel – Trichur, Kerala
179. Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Don Bosco School – Irinjalakuda, Kerala
180. Christ College Church – Irinjalakuda
181. St. George Church – Kalady, Kerala
182. Presentation Convent Chapel – Perinthalmanna, Malabar, Kerala
183. Menaka Theatre – Ernakulam, Kerala
184. Sree Padmanabha Theatre – Trivandrum, Kerala
185. Sree Kumar Theatre – Trivandrum, Kerala
186. Don Bosco Aspirate, Mannuthy
187. Mount Don Bosco, Padivayal, Wayanad
188. Grace and Compassion Sisters, Makiyad
189. Benedictine Fathers, Makiyad, Wayanad
190. Carmelite Spirituality Centre, Peravoor, Calicut
191. Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Mananthavady, Kerala
192. Don Bosco School Irinjalakuda
193. Parish Church Karukuty
194. Nazareth Sisters Motherhouse Karukutty
195. Parish Church, Kalady
196. Don Bosco, Keezhmad, Alwaye
197. St. Joseph Parish, Alwaye
198. Marello House, Alwaye
199. Sacred Heart Fathers, Alwaye
200. Ashir Bhavan, Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Ernakulam
201. Sacred Heart Sisters, Varapuzha
202. Lourd Hospital, Cochin
203. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Church, Vypeen
204. Orthodox St. George Church. Puthuppally, Kotayam
205. Old Priest Home, Kollam
206. St. Stephen's Church, Thoppe, Kollam
207. Novitiate Chapel of Novitiate House, Oblates of St. Joseph, Kulathurpuzha
208. Viswa Jyothi – Gurukul Chapel – Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
209. Matredham Ashram – Varanasi
210. St. Joseph Gurukul Major Seminary Chapel – Varanasi
211. Ims Generalate Chapel – Varanasi
212. Infant Jesus Church – Mughal Sarai, U.P.
213. Ims Novitiate – Sardhana, Up
214. Vidhya Bhavan, Chapel – Kalyani, Calcutta
215. Don Bosco Catechetical Centre, Calcutta
216. Don Bosco, Calcutta
217. Good Shepherd Seminary Chapel – Dimapur, Nagaland
218. Don Bosco School Chapel – Tamenglong, Manipur
219. Don Bosco School Chapel – Delhi
220. Don Bosco, Baroda – Gujarat
221. Baroda Cathedral – Baroda
222. Rajkot Cathedral – Gujarat
223. Casa Pallotti, Panaji, Goa
224. Franciscan Missionary Sisters, Goa
225. Stella Maris Cathedral, Port Blair, andamans
226. Don Bosco, Colombo, Sri Lanka
227. Parish Church, Apia, Western Samoa
228. Parish Church, Pago Pago, American Samoa
229. Bharath Matha Ashram, Kurukshetra – Haryana
230. Redemptorist Church, Ambala, Haryana

References

1. Divine Designs, Article appeared on The Week, Date : 26 January 1992
2. ക്രൈസ്തവ ശില്പ്പ കലയുടെ പ്രവാചകൻ / 1999 August 8 / Deepika Daily

External links

• http://artistvbalan.org

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