K. Janarthanan Kesavan was born on 19 September 1991 in Chennai. On the evening of 4 March 2000, the eight-year boy (popularly known as Jana), while playing with his friends on the terrace of his home in Tamil Nadu, accidentally touched a high-voltage electric cable with an iron bar. The severe electric shock injured almost his entire body. As a consequence, his right arm had to be amputated at the shoulder, his left arm at the elbow and his left leg at the knee. Young Jana was devastated but did not give up! Supported by his parents, friends and doctors, Jana learnt to write and paint with his mouth.
He was soon participating in drawing contests and much to the surprise of everybody, he won prizes several times. Jana’s been a member of Indian Mouth and Foot Painting Artists Association since 2007 and to date has won over 80 prizes in events at the district and state level. He is also the only physically disabled boy, who in, 2004 and 2005, received two national awards from the Indian President, His Excellency, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for “Best Creative Child ” and the “Balshree Award”.
