THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Turn anywhere and your eyes will catch colours and shades of different hues; a ubiquitous sight in the school arts festival camp. For every child artist to step on stage in confidence, there needs to be a person like Sajeev to help them masquerade as the artist, leaving behind their true self.

Sajeev popularly known as Kunjumon Karunakaran has been a prominent presence in the state school arts festival for the past 32 years. Currently, Kunjumon has done makeup at countless venues including school and college festivals.

A native of Kottayam, Kunjumon's childhood dream was to become a well-known dancer. The dream skittered after his family disproved of the move. Later, through dance teacher and friend RLV Anil Kumar, Sajeev started getting opportunities to work as a make-up artist in arts festival venues.

After completing his degree, Kunjumon became a full-time makeup artist. The kids he once styled have now become dance teachers. In every venue, Sajeev is circled by old pals and admirers. Kunjumon has done make-up for many film stars like Navya Nair, Divya Unni and others in their nascent days.

Although received the opportunity to do make-up in serials and films, Sajeev prefers the school arts festival stage over any other thing. According to him, it brings a certain joy to work with child artists. And now, after years in the field, Sajeev remains a popular name. He credits his achievement in the field to the blessings received from the school arts festival stage.