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Who needs hands to paint?
The day was a routine one for everyone but not for young Janardhanan, a mischievous little boy of eight years studying in class-III who went to school as usual. His mother and sister were sleeping and the young boy rushed to the terrace of his building to play with his friends. Like in every building, the clothes were hung for drying in the terrace. Sometimes, the clothes, though pegged, would fly and land in the adjacent building.
 To pick up such clothes, they had kept an iron rod about which the boy's father had already warned everyone. He was worried because there were electric wires running near the parapet wall of the terrace. He cautioned them against keeping the rod in the terrace but it fell on deaf ears. His fear was justified when the rod became a plaything in Janardhanan's hands. The rod came into contact with the high voltage electric line and the boy got electrocuted. The neighbhours ran to the terrace and to their dismay saw the boy half-burnt.
 He underwent eight consecutive surgeries and the price he paid to be alive were his two hands and one leg.
It is said if God closes one door, He opens another. While his parents were worried about his future, young Jana blossomed into an artist. He draws with his mouth and astounds people with his beautiful drawings. The effort is commendable, without doubt.
He attributes his success to his self-confidence and sincere efforts. His father Kesavan says that they wanted him to live like other children. He is surprised at how his son developed an interest in drawing.
 “When the situation came to a point where writing with my hands became impossible, I went through mental agony and untold difficulties. The doctors who treated me were the ones who inspired me to draw...
All credit goes to Dr Seeniraj who motivated me to this level...” says Jana, full of emotion. Apart from this, he was helped by many social groups who bought him books, colour pencils and brushes to enable him to draw and paint.
 At the national-level competition conducted by Victoria Technical Institute, Chennai, in February 2001, he bagged the first prize. Success after success poured in and he won many first prizes. At present a class-VI student of S R N M Matriculation School, Ramapuram, Jana stands first in academics also. His main ambition in life is to became a great artist. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Kesavan says that they are proud parents of Jana who has persevered and struggled to reach this level.
'Arumbu', a students magazine, conducted a talent search in three states from south India and selected the best 20 disabled achievers and honoured them by releasing a book with information about them.
 The third edition of this book is being released November 30, (10 a.m.) 'Sigarathai Thedi' at German Hall, Chennai. The achievements of Janardhanan have also found a place in this book. It should be mentioned that the young Jana is the only one under 12, in India who is an 'oral artist'.
Jana remembers with pride that coming to know of his talent, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa invited him and gave him a cheque by way of honouring him.
Contact Address :
K Janardhanan
s/o P S Kesavan
Old No 7, Sai Ram Street,
Senthamil Nagar,
Ramapuram,
Chennai – 89.
Cell - 32640666
KT Sri
Translated by Radha N.
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