Posted on 17 February 2026:
A Journey of Silence and Grace: Artist R. Rajendran’s Solo Exhibition in Tribute to Kalaimamani Dr. V.G. Santhosam
A Celebration of Art and Legacy
The Exhibition of Painting – A Journey of Silence and Grace by renowned artist R. Rajendran, Guinness World Records Holder (2007), unfolded as a profound tribute to Kalaimamani Dr. V.G. Santhosam on the occasion of his 90th birth year.
Hosted at the Vanna Aruvi Gallery, Puducherry, the one‑man show was inaugurated on 15th February 2026 at 6 PM and continued until the 17th, marking a grand cultural event that blended artistry with reverence.
Inauguration by a Cultural Luminary
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. V.G. Santhosam, Chairman of the VGP Group of Companies and Founder‑President of the VGP Ulaga Thamizh Sangam, Chennai. Lighting the ceremonial lamp, Dr. Santhosam brought his enduring presence as a cultural ambassador for Tamil heritage. His lifelong mission to propagate Tamil literature—especially the timeless wisdom of poet‑philosopher Thiruvalluvar—has earned him prestigious honors including the titles of Chevalier and Kalaimamani.
Global Contributions Honored
Dr. Santhosam’s legacy is monumental: he has organized over 31 international Tamil conferences, established Tamil cultural centers worldwide, and installed more than 192 statues of Thiruvalluvar across countries to spread the ethical teachings of the Tirukkural. In recognition of these achievements, the Selva Angel Foundation conferred upon him a Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his unparalleled service to culture and humanity.
Distinguished Presence
The event was graced by eminent personalities including Mr. R.E. Segar, social worker from Puducherry; Padmashree Tavil Datchanamoorty; Mr. V. Kaliaperumal, Former Director of Art and Culture, Government of Puducherry; Mr. Laurent Jalicous, Director of Alliance de Pondicherry; Kalaimamani Dr. P.V. Prabhakaran, HOD Fine Arts Department, BPK, Puducherry; Shri. Remiyan, Art director and Kalaimamani Dr. J. Gopal, eminent artist and founder of I Art Research Foundation, Puducherry. Their presence underscored the significance of this exhibition as both an artistic and cultural milestone.
The exhibition was graced by the presence of distinguished artists including Kalaimamani A. Soucoumarane, Kalaimamani K.M. Saravanan, L. Candapane, Kalaimamani R. Anebajagane, and Kalaimamani C. Mounissamy—eminent artists whose creative journeys have enriched the cultural landscape.
A heartfelt felicitation address was delivered by Mr. SMC Rajesh, artist of Vanna Aruvi Art Gallery, Puducherry, whose words resonated with gratitude and admiration. Special thanks were extended to Ejomale, Manimaran of Vanna Aruvi Gallery, Mr.Murugavel, Annai Kalai Koodam, Mr.Balasubramanian, Annai Kalai Koodam , Puducherry, Artist Vasanth, Artist Bipin Achariya, Kalaimamani C.Ravi, Kalaimamani Saravanacoumar, Artist and Art Director Remiyan, Poet V.Kalavisu, Photographer Nehru, Artist Rajcannane, artist Iyyapan and art lovers joined the opening ceremony.
