Born on 1 Dec 1947 at Kozhikkod. Edn. Qualifications: Graduation, Occupation: Journalist. Son of Antony Master, the painter, K. A. Francis' playtime mates were brushes and colours. While in school, he won the national colouring competition "Sound of Music" conducted by the Indian Bank. From Haridwar, he got trained in tantric painting and is a master when it comes to drawings of Vishnupaadam, Lakshmipaadam and other chakraas by strictly adhering to the prescribed tantric measurements. Backed by IGNC scholarship, Francis has held exhibition of tantric paintings at IGNC. Similar exhibitions were also held at Guruvayur Devaswom hall and other places. Held painting exhibitions in different parts of the country based on the theme "Kannur Kazhchakal" (Sights in Kannur) portraying just nature. Francis has to his credit several solo as well as group-shows. He has associated with the Kerala Lalit Kala Academy on six occasions as its executive committee member, vice chairman and chairman. He has also worked as the technical monitoring chairman of the freedom memorial at Thiruvananthapuram created by the Department of Culture; Executive Committee member of South Zone Cultural Centre, President of Kerala Chitrakala Parishath, Editor of the directory on painters of Kerala; Chairman of the Clint Memorial International Painting competition committee organized by the Department of Tourism, Chief organizer of Universal Arts Colour Festival that hosts maximum number of children for a painting competition; Captain of the 15-day long Kerala Kala march and as the Member of Kerala University Fine Arts Board of Studies. In his journalistic career, Francis has worked as reporter, sub-editor, investigative journalist, lay-out editor, bureau chief, Sunday editor and feature editor in Malayala Manorama daily. He went on to become the unit chief of Manorama in Kannur. He is currently the chief-editor of Manorama Weekly, which has the maximum circulation in India.K. A. Francis' major work as writer is - The Essence of Aum - a study on 'Aum'. Apart from English, this was published in Spanish, German, Japanese and also in Malayalam. As writer, his literary signature includes a collection of travelogues that include "The Pope's Invitation to Rome", "Venice - the city that flows", Journey through the land of Michael Angelo" and "Sriyatun and the Island of Bali". "E. V. Krishna Pillai" and "E. Moithu Moulavi" are the two biographies authored by Francis. He has also written books on personality development that include "The Key to Victory", "Leadership", "Ways to become a good manager", "365 Optimistic Thought"s, "101 Spiritual Stories" and "20 ways to become outstanding artistic talent" and features like "In the company of thieves" and "Market of Women". Francis has been a member in the Kannur University Journalism Board of Studies, All-India jury committee member for selecting talented artists in All India Radio and member of State Visual Media Award Committee. K. A. Francis has attended Biennales in Venice and Florence and has been to countries like USA, Brazil, China, Egypt, Italy, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. He is married to Nadacklan Baby of Thrissur and has three children viz. Shelly Francis (working as general manager, marketing at K M Traders in Abu Dhabi), Dimple Joshi (Manorama, Thrissur) and Freby Jiby (Mascot).
EXHIBITIONS
2000-Prakriti Chitra award of the Kerala Lalit Kala Academy
1970-Government of India's first prize in newspaper design and layout
2015-Lalitakala award of the Kerala Lalit Kala Academy
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