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Madhan Chinnathambi scurries around Jim’s Restaurant tirelessly in his role as manager and when the final diner retreats he retires into his den to create striking works of art.
Regular patrons of the restaurant are familiar with Madhan’s friendly and welcoming smile and have now discovered his talent as an artist. After enjoying the fare a growing number are asking him to wrap up a take-away with a difference … a framed, signed copy of a painting.
He said: “I really enjoy dabbling with colours. If I have a vivid dream I wake up and have to put it on canvas that night!”
The former owner of the Adliya restaurant, Jim Lawless, used to regularly display his mother’s works of art on the walls and a regular customer suggested Madhan do likewise after hearing about his artistic endeavours.
Madhan had to ‘pinch himself’ at the interest his works created. He said: “I never expected to receive such a keen response from our diners. I have sold close to 80 paintings and it has really boosted my confidence.”
Madhan’s fascination for art began at a young age when his uncle brought home a painting. The mounted work was an instant attraction to the little boy who would spend hours staring at it and slowly attempt to copy it.
He soon developed his sketching skills and it provoked a passion for the work of renowned artist, M F Hussain. However, he made the hospitality industry his career choice and joined a catering school at his hometown in the southern Indian city of Thanjavur.
Twelve years ago he moved to Bahrain and took up the position at Jim’s Restaurant and now actively helps to promote and encourage young artists in the kingdom to display their work in the restaurant’s reception area too.
He said: “When Adliya first hosted its popular Market 338 Exhibition I came across several young artists – they were brilliant and I invited them to showcase their work at our restaurant.”
He added that its current owner, Presita Padmanabhan, is always seeking ways to help and has been very supportive by involving and encouraging talented artists in the community.
Madhan, 32, lives in Gudaibiya with his wife, Shobhana, and three-year-old daughter, Jaya.
