Age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one's passion. This holds true for 84-year-old Mattar Prabhakar Kini, a resident of Ajjarakad in Udupi, who discovered his love for art during the pandemic. Kini is a devoted follower of Lord Ganesha, and his art revolves around this much-loved deity. After completing his BCom in 1959, he worked as a company secretary for a law firm and later started his own IT trading company in 1985. In 1998, he moved to Bengaluru and set up 'Sri Ganesha Duniya', an exclusive space for his collection of over 500 Ganesha statues and figurines.

When the pandemic struck, Kini returned to Udupi and transformed his flat in Ajjarakad into an art studio. He delved into 'art therapy' to dispel negative thoughts during the pandemic and lockdown. His love for Lord Ganesha inspired him to create hundreds of Ganesha-themed collages from cut-outs of magazines and books. The result was a vast array of Ganesha art that earned him a place in the India Book of Records for having the maximum number of Lord Ganesha images in paper collage form by an octogenarian.

Apart from collage art, Kini has also created several abstract pieces and now aims to purchase an old house and create a 'Kala Kuteera' (art house). Kini believes that his art is for the public to savor and hence organized a free exhibition of his works at his residence, which was visited by several art enthusiasts.

Kini's daughter, Vidya Shanbhag, an architect, feels proud of her father's venture into the world of art. "He has a lot of patience, and his love and passion for creativity makes it possible for him to realize his dream," she says.

Kini is an inspiration for all those who believe that age is a barrier to creativity. His story shows that it is never too late to pursue one's passion, and creativity can blossom at any age.