Seethathode: A beat forest officer at Rajampara forest office is busy creating artwork on the rocks. His plan is to clear the vegetation and moss covering the rocks and paint pictures of wild animals. R Vipin, the artist-cum-forest guard, is a winner of the chief minister’s award. Painting has been Vipin’s hobby since childhood.
Many of Vipin’s colleagues feel that his tiger painting is true to life. With his first painting earning appreciation, Vipin is planning to create more works of art on rocks around his office. He has already cleaned all the rocks nearby and applied primer.
A resident of Kallara in Kollam, he had joined the police before shifting to the Forest Department. He was posted at Rajampara one-and-a-half years ago.
During the Makaravilakku, the ornaments to be adorned on the Ayyappa idol at Sabarimala temple are kept for a day at a rest house attached to the forest station which is on the way to the shrine. When he started painting here, Vipin’s plan was to complete the task before the ornaments reached his office. Meanwhile, he spruced up the officials’ quarters and outpost with army colours. The other buildings also will get the same colours.
The Rajampara station is under the Ranni range of Ranni Forest Division. Deputy range officer K Ratheesh and other senior officers are encouraging the artist in his unique endeavour.
Vipin engages in the creative pursuit after duty hours.
