I remember how on the morning of April 16, 1983 this part of our world paused for many agonizing moments when we came to read in the morning papers about the
death of the child prodigy, Edmund Thomas Clint,
barely 7 years of age.
The lone son of his parents, MT Joseph and Chinnamma Joseph, Clint left behind 25,000 paintings, most of them imbued with strokes of precocity far advanced to that of his age. By any standards it was a tremendous achievement for a child after a short sojourn of hardly 7 years in this world.
While trying in vain to come into terms with the death of the little master artist, one stumbles over the seemingly comforting proverb of Solomon viz: “Being perfected in a short time,they (he) fulfilled long years”… Solomon (4:13).
Our memories of this wonderful child and his paintings conjures up both the colors of rainbow that would never fade away from the sky and also the brooding shadow of Death that hangs heavy over our lives as if it could snatch anyone, anywhere, anytime...
Hi George,
ReplyDeleteIn the last page of this month's Reader's Digest (FEB 2010), they had showcased a painting of this child prodigy. Wasn't able to believe it was done by a 6yr old. I was hunting more info about him and happened to land here. Is there any website where I can see more of this genius's paintings. Do let me know (shreeDOTvanimATgmailDOTcom).
And your eggy poem is nice :)
Hi Sree,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kindly information about the Reader's Digest(february issue) carrying an article about the child prodigy, Clint. I would certainly go through the issue.
But sorry to say that i cannot recommend any websites that has posted the paintings of Clint. Even what little information i have is gleaned from the google.
I am very glad that you liked the Eggy poems.
thanks George.
Well, I could see that one image at the RD website.
ReplyDeleteSharing the link here: http://www.rd-india.com/newsite/rdliving/Studio_feb10.asp
Thanks, bijuneYYan, for sharing the painting.
ReplyDeleteHi all, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Thomas_Clint. Can we add more info to that page? Please mail me (vipinhari AT yahoo DOT com).
ReplyDeleteHi Vipin,
ReplyDeleteAll i know about Clint is there in the blog. I wish i could provide more.
i had seen the exhibition of clint's paintings in SH college auditoriam .
ReplyDeleteAmmu a child who grow up with Clint is writing a book about him. will be published soon.
ReplyDeleteclint did not die.. actually he was murdered.. through his paintings he unveiled some secrets about how the 'theyyam' artists fix their huge crown (or whatever u call) on their head. The artists were said to have murdered him for this.. (remember, clint was very font of drawing hindu fests and arts..)
ReplyDeletewhoever wants to know about Clint may please contact me. welcomeramesh@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe rumour that clint was murdered is an absolute lie. Clint's family is still an interesting episode. The parrot, 'lakshmikutty' which lives with Clint's parents is really a matter to be discussed.
I came here after read the news.. parrot lakshimkutty died....
ReplyDeleteI saw about this child prodigy in Malayalam News about release of a Brief Hour of Beauty, Can some one tell me where I can get the CD in which the child's paintings are captured? Similarly the book?
ReplyDeleteThanks
seshadri9@gmail.com
http://rudraprajapati.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/clint_dh1.pdf
ReplyDeleteHi Siddharth,
ReplyDeleteThanks for Sharing
Hi.. I have begun a blog featuring the paintings and drawings of Clint. It is a non profit venture, and please visit us and spread the word about it. I am doing so with the blessings of Clint's parents.
ReplyDeletehttp://clintgallery.blogspot.in
Clint...happy??! 39th birthday to you! Ever since I came to know about Clint, my heart always has become heavy with his thoughts and unexplained sorrow. Everytime I witness nature, every scenic beauty brings you to my memory. It makes me think how you would have brought it out on your multi hued canvas. World has missed out another Van Gogh or Da Vinci or Raja Ravi Verma ot even a better artist than them. I read Ammu's "Brief hour of Beauty", a beautiful depiction of Clint's life. It doesn't leave the tender heart without tears rolling down the cheeks, I bet.
ReplyDeleteClint certainly deserves a museum like all the above said great artists. He remains immortalized through his artworks, he should continue to remain immortal by preserving his great arts in a museum for the generations to witness. Hope the government will undertake the project (not sire if it already has). Love you Clint. Missing you. You are now a geart source of inspiration to me. :-C ;,-C