Manuel d’mel of Manapad was Michael Angelo and Raphael the great masters of Renaissance rolled into one. Perhaps in another age or in another country he would have gone down in the history of art as one of the greatest of his times.

D’Mel was an Artist of Classic style. He never surrendered himself to the blandishments of Commercial art, where he could have made pot full of gold. In the combination of colours , delineation of features , bold strokes and accurate characterisation, he came close to Raphael. Perhaps the best pieces of his painting are the Four Evangelists he painted on the wall above the Sanctuary of St. James’ Church. Here one can see D’Mel’s deft skill in Mural Painting, He painted portraits of Fr. LASSL and JONGIT for Manapad library.

In 1939, in connection with the Feast of Holy Ghost there was an exhibition set up in the old school building. The major attraction was the portrait of Bishop Roache done by D’Mel. One of the art critics exclaimed “I have not seen any thing as exquisite as this painting. As we see the panting it seems to come alive. One could count every strand of hair in the beard. So distinct—so sharp”.

D’Mel was not only a painter. He was a sculptor par excellence. He carved beautiful statues out of wood or molded them out of plaster of Paris or out of cement. His statues either out of wood or Plaster of Paris or Cement were delicate pieces with faces and features so well delineated and colours so appropriately daubed that they could easily match and at times rival pieces from Europe. He taught the youngsters to sculpt statues out of Papier-mâché (French for “chewed paper”). His best piece of sculpting is the statue of Sorrowful Mother with Mary Magdalane and John near the Cross.
Like most artists D’Mel could work best when he was under the influence of Alchohol and under pressure.. Invariably he would accomplish his work only in the last minute but it would be the best piece that one could bring out.

As a little boy, I remember D”Mel was expected to execute a forest scene for a drama. He had not even started a charcoal sketch of the forest even before the day of drama.. As pressure mounted D’Mel got down to work. He gave one good look at the canvas measuring 20 to 20 feet placed before him across the wall. He gulped down and drained his favourite inspiring spirit, wrapped the lungi around his waist ,grabbed the long handled coconut broom stick his painting brush , dipped it in the earthen pot that contained the coloured paint and whipped it and splashed it as his spirit guided and directed on the canvas in front and brought out a forest , fit for the drama .

D’Mel was a daily Mass- goer. He attended the first mass invariably, not withstanding his passion for his late night inebriation.

With the passing away of D’mel one of the colourful personalities of Manpad has gone into Eternity. Oh! Will we get another like him? .

By Very Rev.Fr. Anslem Miranda.S.J.