Dhruv Balachander, who was diagnosed with Fragile-X syndrome and autism at a young age, is a skilful and prolific self taught artist who has created over 100 artworks that have been framed, sold, gifted or displayed. His mother, Vimal, writes about the exceptional vibrancy and energy in his paintings.
‘Not in matter, but in thought, not in possessions but in ideas, are to be found the seeds of immortality’ - Sir JC Bose, scientist.
Dhruv, is an idea, the idea that a child must be listened to. When he was fourteen, he expressed unequivocally that he had no interest in going to the special school, he went to for the previous three years. It was a decision thrust on us, by him, to start some kind of home-schooling. Which in a year’s time dwindled to ‘no-schooling’, or a more attractive word ’unschooling’. But the net result was a teenager who was surfing the net for all his needs and seemed to be really happy!
Though Dhruv does not have formal abilities to read and write like others his age and does not grasp numbers, he can use iPads and phones and do symbol/sight reading. At the age of two, Dhruv was diagnosed with Fragile-X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes cognitive impairments and learning disabilities. Unlike autism, this syndrome was relatively unheard of then, and no one seemed to know how the mutation affected the person. Dhruv did his early schooling at a special school and is being home-schooled at present. The biggest challenge we have with Fragile-X is his resistance to learning by instructions. He is largely self taught with most things he does.
It was at a time like this, trying to get Dhruv interested in art, that we had our first teacher, Augustine Thilak, who came in for about six times, but gave the boy the freedom to explore paints, the way he wants. Later he was instructed in this ‘uninstructed’ art by Kavitha Krishnamoorthy and Jyotsna Srinivasan.
Time passed and, and time is the best teacher. I learnt that Dhruv’s compositions had great beauty, I had to develop a sense of art that was open to this freedom. The idea of expressing one’s feelings through colour and movement.
Dhruv’s teacher, Kavitha Krishnamoorthy, commenting on his work, said: “Dhruv's art calls out to you. So spontaneous, urgent, unrestrained, full of movement, his art is truly an expression of who he is. It is a delight to watch him work. Given freedom to create, he does just that, creates with full freedom.”
We started framing his works, putting them online and friends started wanting to procure them. This boosted his self-esteem.
The works looked resplendent and we encouraged Dhruv to try other mediums.
Even digital ones.
Online art sale happened through Kairassi, a group that promotes differently abled art, who have now had two group exhibitions which displayed his art. Other organisations have also helped to promote his works.
You can see more of Dhruv's prolific and impressive art here
Dhruv by now must have made more than a 100 works of art that have been framed, sold, gifted or displayed. He got tired of one kind of medium, we encouraged him to try another, Even now Dhruv loves colour and when he sees a brush and bottles of paint, they will beckon him to paint. It’s been about four years of this passion.
Though now we find his interests have changed. He is now learning to sing Hindi and English songs on his own. Our instinct is to let him do what he wants. Just like his art, perhaps he will bring certain newness to his singing craft too.
It is incredibly amazing how Dhruv triumphs over his challenges and uses art as a medium to express himself. All his works are his independent efforts and have been exhibited in many group shows till date. He stays with me and has a sibling. I also write a blog about him and share his artworks. Apart from art, Dhruv likes to cook. He has a good sense of humour and is an able cyclist.
The idea of Dhruv is the idea that we must facilitate the work that gives our children their joy in living. Perhaps, ‘structure’ and ‘rules’ of value are not for all. For some, it’s just being in the moment of enjoying what one creates, without judgement without any purpose other than seeing what colours can do together.
Where will all this go? How long will he stay interested in this work? Can this work be something that sustains his whole life? These questions and more bother us sometimes. But mostly we are happy to continue with status quo. When I see Dhruv choose and put together colors, I think, how beautiful blue looks with yellow and white - are those the colors of the sun in the sky? Is that why they appeal?
Perhaps we each must discover why this art, without a figure, without a skill, appears so appealing.
You can see more of Dhruv's prolific and impressive art here
(Dhruv’s mother, Vimal Balachander, is an architect and interior designer, member- SCAN-Special Child Assistance Network, proprietor-'Mitr'- support for special needs families, Alzheimer's patients and care-givers.)
