Mohammed Ilyas is a painter with a difference. His latest theme of ‘signature art’ has been

well received among his clients. Using a person’s signature as the basis, he and his friend R. Thangavelu

create portraits of popular figures and also commoners.

After downloading the signature of a personalities like Gandhi, Amitabh Bachchan, A.R. Rahman and

K.J. Yesudas, the duo create what they call signature art. While Thangavelu, 42, ideates, his friend Ilyas

creates the actual painting. Their latest novelty has become a huge hit with friends and customers.

“The signature art is done in one minute or 30 seconds. Many of our customers give their signature and

ask for their favourite logo or portrait to be painted along with it. When we execute their request

properly, they are thrilled,” said Ilyas.

The idea has gone viral with people requesting the painting duo for portraits on Facebook or Whatsapp.

Ilyas is an Elite World Record holder for the painting he made. Apart from signature art, he makes wall

art too on request from customers.

Ilyas and Thangavelu go back a long way. They were classmates in PKM Institute of Arts in Ottapalam,

Palakkad.

“Apart from signature art, I do something called memory art. If you have your picture and

that of your favourite personality, I can create a portrait of you with him or her,” Thangavelu said.

Thangavelu is creative director at Maruti Printers near Women’s Polytechnic in Gandhipuram. “Art is

really only my hobby,” he said.