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In photos: Yusuf Arakkal leaves behind an impressive body of work

Contemporary artist Yusuf Arakkal died on the morning of Tuesday, 4 October in Bengaluru. He was 71. Apart from being an artist, Arakkal was also an accomplished sculptor as well as a poet. He won the National Award for his artwork back in 1983.

Born in Chavakkad in Kerala, Arakkal studied art at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath and later specialised in graphic print making from National Academy community studios, Garhi, Delhi.

Yusuf produced a large collection of miscellaneous works consisting of drawings, paintings, sculptures, murals, paper works, prints and writing. He was one of the most popular faces in the elite society of Bangaluru.

Faces of Creativity, a comprehensive collection of portraits of fellow artists, was recently released by the artist.

Arakkal\'s paintings are expressionistic in style and one could trace the artist\'s concern for society and depicting social issues. He used a profusion of bright colours to depict the life of city dwellers , everyday life of the dispossessed, poverty, helplessness, dismal living conditions and stoicism in the face of tragedy.