A skillfully crafted art piece can mesmerise the world with its charm. It’s a gala time for the art aficionados of Kochi as the works of the talented artists across the state are exhibited at Durbar hall, Kochi. The paintings and sculptures displayed here were selected for the 43rd state award competition organised by Kerala Lalithakala Akademi. 192 works of 166 artists are displayed for the art lovers.
Each painting and sculpture has a tale to narrate that takes the viewers to an ethereal world of beauty. This year, along with conventional subjects, artists have also come up with a wide variety of new themes. Socially relevant themes and traditional subjects are given equal prominence in the show. Sculptures carved using illuminations to nostalgic old classroom desk to pencil drawings are sure to win the heart of the viewers.
Five artists have won the state award for the visual art of `25,000. ‘The great family story’ by P S Jayamol won the award for her painting on a family of dogs. In the deftly done works, some dogs are seen looking here and there in a room, while some others are inside the bundle of clothes. Rajeesh Sarovar’s ‘Abandoned king celebrating childhood’ is a nostalgic piece. An old man is seen sitting under a jack fruit tree playing with toys made of coconut leaves. He is wearing a crown made of jack fruit leaves on the head. Hen, slippers, wood pecker and plough are seen scattered beside him. Hoarding of skyline homes can also be viewed in the background. The work reminds us of the rustic life that gave way to new urban world. “It took three-and-a-half months for me to complete this work. The memories of my village inspired me to do this work,” says the artist.
Sajeesh P A is another recipient whose work ‘transitional space’ is unique from the other works exhibited. Using pencil alone as his medium he has created a transitional world.
‘Uprooted traditions’ of Avanavu Narayanan reminds us many things. In the work, the roots of a tree reaches till an old house. It reminds us of the old customs and traditions which were once an integral part of our life.
Sculpture titled ‘Onnum Ariyathe’ carved by Sudhakaran N K in wood speaks volumes on the intricate relationship between a mother and her child. Two puppies are seen attempting to drink milk from their dead mother dog. A feeling of loneliness and helplessness linger in the mind of the viewers too. “This work is a message to the society. Same situation can happen in everyone’s life,” says Sudhakaran.
Lalithakala Akademi awarded five artists with honourable mention worth `10,000. ‘Kasturirangan’ by K R Babu stands out from other works because of its social relevance and connect to the recent issue based on the theme. A traditional man wearing a flower dress holds a sword in his hand. The top of the canvas has a snake with jack fruits in its mouth. A tree is seen growing from the top of a man’s shadow. ‘I want to fly like a bird’ is one work that will even attract children because of its treatment using DJ light settings. Illuminated birds are seen flying in dark. Bindhi Rajagopal is the creator of this painting.
Sajith Puthukalavatom’s ‘Nature in carry bag’ appears to have a common theme at first glance, but the work puts forth a distinctive idea. In the work that points out the need to protect our mother nature, people are seen moving around carrying bags with small trees inside. Sharathchandran P has picturised crab in a different way in his work.
Shekhar Ayyanthol’s ‘Leader in Edakkal caves’ visualises a tribal man wearing leaves as clothes with a weapon in his hand.
One of the highlight of the show is the works of fine arts students. ‘Chair with a bag’ by Sumesh K P, untitled painting by Parvathy S Nair, ‘The confession’ by Prajith E, drawing titled ‘Pineapple trees’ by Sijina V V and ‘Woodcut’ by Ranjith Sivaram are the works that have grabbed special mention award (` 5000 each). Sadhu Aliyur won Vijayaraghavan endowment gold medal for his painting ‘Roofs III’ and Raghu A received V Sankaramenon endowment gold medal for his adept portrayal of poet Sugathakumari.
Other works which hooked the viewers are ‘Monalisa - Indianised’ and ‘last supper’.