Every portrait I make carries a story. Instead of using paint or brushes,
I use materials that hold fragments of the world they lived in.
I’m Manu Kallikad, a self-taught Indian artist who has explored and experimented with unconventional approaches to art.
One of my most recognised works is a series of Biographical Collages; portraits created without using traditional paint or brushes. Instead, I combine the subject’s image with elements from their personal story, using paper cuttings from newspapers and magazines. So far, I’ve created over 40 such pieces.
Another project close to my heart is “Varayanam,” a series where I illustrated 40 key moments from the Ramayana using soil in different shades, collected from various regions across India.
My work has been honoured five times in the Limca Book of Records and once in the Best of India Records. I’m currently based in the UK, continuing my journey as an experimental artist.
If you’re curious to know more about my process, my inspirations, and the stories behind each piece, I invite you to explore further.

Portraits created without paint or brush, composed entirely
using paper cuttings from newspapers, magazines, and materials connected to the individual’s life and story.


