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by Chamitha Kuruppu

For little Kumudu, white sand was the canvas for his endless sketches. Years passed by, his sketches turned into marvellous drawings. Everyone predicted "the boy will follow his father's footsteps and one day he will be far better than the father,".

Enjoying his maiden painting exhibition 'Sithu Sankalana'(Inner Thoughts) Kumudu Tharaka says he has always felt fortunate to be the son of veteran pictorial cartoonist Waththalpala Kusuman. "His influence has made me a successful artist which has brought me fame, money and of course satisfaction," says Kumudu.

Having started his career at the age of fourteen as a pictorial cartoonist at Madhura a popular pictorial at one time, many veteran's were cynical about his talent as a schoolboy. "But, there were many who praised my work and motivated me to enhance my skills," he recalls.

Kumudu was a mere schoolboy when he contributed to a number of pictorial papers as a cartoonist. The fame he had gained as a teenager enabled him to secure employment at Lake House where he gained more recognition as a cartoonist. "As a cartoonist I was catering to a certain readership. But I started to do more serious work through publications like the Daily News, Silumina, Thinakaran, Mihira, Yovun Janatha and Janatha," Kumudu points out.

Since then, Kumudu has tried his hands in many avenues like doing book cover designs and advertising. "I've done over 700 book covers.

I have got many offers from the advertising sector to join them full time. Although working on such projects are considered rewarding, I enjoy being in the media", notes Kumudu.

'Sithu Sankalana', the visual portrayal of Kumudu's inner feelings, is his maiden painting exhibition. "Sithu Sankalana is the realisation of my long time dream. At a time contemporary art is ruling the canvas, I believe there is a long felt need for visual portrayal," stresses Kumudu.

March 03 is the last day of the exhibition, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo.

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