ShaNavas J

SHANAVAS J
Award-Winning Artist | Art Educator | Cultural Organiser | Social Activist

Shanavas J is an award-winning professional artist, art educator, designer, and social activist from Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. He is the Director of ShaRa School of Arts, Founder and President of ShaRa Foundation, and currently serves as the State Secretary of the Kondiah Raju Art Foundation.

**AWARDS & HONOURS**

• District Best Youth Award (2009–2010) – Nehru Yuva Kendra, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.

• Best Artist of South Zone – Tamil Nadu Cultural Academy.

• Shining Star Award – Rotary Club.

• Best Artist Recognition – Presented by Walter Devaram IPS.

• Makkal Mudhalvar Recognition – Associated with former Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.

• Artist Recognition – Department of Art and Culture, Government of Tamil Nadu.

• Honoured as Judge – Face Painting Competition, Kamaraj College, Thoothukudi.

**PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY**

Associated with ShaRa School of Arts, established in 1999, Shanavas J has dedicated his career to promoting fine arts education, artistic excellence, traditional culture, youth empowerment, and community development.

His artistic expertise includes drawing, painting, portraiture, graphic design, digital art, creative education, and large-scale rangoli installations.

His notable artistic projects include 25-foot Jawaharlal Nehru, 40-foot Mahakavi Bharathiyar, and 61-foot Mahatma Gandhi rangoli representations.

**LEADERSHIP & SOCIAL SERVICE**

His leadership experience includes serving as President of ShaRa Kalai Valar Manram and Nehru Kalai Valar Manram, Principal of Pathanjali Yogalaya, and Vice President of social service and yoga associations.

He has contributed to organising art competitions, exhibitions, educational workshops, creative training camps, youth development programmes, and community art initiatives.

**VISION & MISSION**

As State Secretary of the Kondiah Raju Art Foundation, he is committed to preserving artistic heritage, recognising talented artists, building professional networks, and creating sustainable opportunities for the artistic community.

His vision is to make quality arts education accessible, encourage creativity across generations, support emerging artists, and promote art as a means of cultural preservation, livelihood development, and positive social transformation.

**“Art is not merely a skill; it is a powerful expression of human creativity, cultural identity, and social responsibility.”**