Take us into this behind-the-scenes moment—what were you working on, and where did your creative journey begin for you?
My creative journey really began with my guru—Guinness World Record holder and Kentucky Colonel Dr. Abdul Halim—who continues to inspire and guide me.
In this moment, I was working on a large portrait of Infant Jesus, created by writing the Thirukural text to build the image.
The portrait is 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and alongside this work I’m also training in Parai, Ghatam, and drum kit under Dr. Abdul Halim.
Looking back at one of your earliest pieces you’ve held onto, when was it made—and what do you remember learning from it?
This comes from my early learning phase, when I was starting to understand rhythm and discipline through traditional practice.
Around that time, I began learning the Ghatam—an ancient percussion instrument—under my guru Dr. Abdul Halim, and it shaped how seriously I approached my craft.
What I remember most is learning patience: improving step by step, listening carefully, and respecting the roots of the art before trying to make it my own.
What does your usual practice space look like, and which part of your routine pushes your growth the most?
This is the space where I usually focus, repeat, and refine my basics—especially during Ghatam practice.
The biggest thing that helps me improve is consistent daily practice, where I work on timing, clarity of sound, and stamina.
Even small corrections and guidance from my guru make a huge difference, because they help me practice with purpose instead of just repetition.
What was it like displaying your portrait publicly at Balakrishna Matric Higher Secondary School, and who supported you most during that moment?
When the portrait was displayed publicly, the reaction felt very powerful—people were genuinely excited seeing it in person.
Many viewers told me it looked unique, and that kind of response made me feel proud and motivated to keep creating bigger work.
Support from the school environment and the people around me mattered a lot, and I’m especially grateful for the guidance that helped me reach the stage where I could present work like this confidently.
When News7 Tamil featured your work, what did they highlight—and how did it feel seeing your art covered publicly?
This is a screenshot from the News7 Tamil coverage about my work, and it meant a lot to see the piece recognized publicly.
The feature helped bring attention to what I’m creating and the effort behind it, especially the uniqueness of building an image through Thirukural writing.
Personally, it felt encouraging—like a reminder that consistent practice and dedication can reach people beyond my immediate circle.
Contact and Follow
- Name: Sri Jeyanth
- Email: abdulhalimnhp@gmail.com
- Link: https://youtu.be/6rJq3TzKy18?si=iPFni6QN1xTvnwgR
