Ex-convicts become poets, sculptors, lyricists

As many as 11 convicts turned artistes told their inspiring tales of gore and reformation to the students of the Bharathiar University at an interaction organised by the former DIG (Prisons) Govindaraj and Dr Sethurama Subbaiyah, the head of the department of social work.

Rajesh (name changed), who was a murder convict is now a busy sculptor, artist and poet. His sculpting and art work has been appreciated by artists across the state. He has mastered in sculpting out of wood, clay, metal and stone.

He is also proficient in pencil sketching, painting images of deities, landscape and portraits. The 38-year-old Rajesh loved to paint and he sketched pictures on canvas from the tender age of five.

Though life took unexpected turns he kept his passion alive. "I am a bachelor and have been unable to get married because of the stigma and I don't believe in lying to the girl I'd get married to. I have been conducting exhibitions in Chennai, Tiruchy and Coimbatore with free entry fee and the exhibits are not for sale."

The expo that is usually put up in schools and colleges highlights love for mother, country and devotion to God. His expo also creates awareness on brotherhood, peace and communal harmony.

Satish (name changed) is yet another ex-convict who battled the social stigma and emerged as a lyricist. He has released eight CDs of his compositions.

Satish has planned to raise funds for victims the Kashmir floods by giving two of his heart-wrenching compositions that describes the scenes in Kashmir on FM Radio, TV Channels. A fan of super star Rajini Kanth, he has also penned songs for the mass hero.

Unfortunately he was not able to reach it to him. Over the last 40 years, Satish has written about 1,000 songs on various themes including love, devotion, grief and different genres like classical and bhajans.