THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is like figuring out the making of a movie through bits and pieces of negatives that are left because you arrived late and the movie is already a classic.
The photo exhibition, in honour of ONV Kurup, which was inaugurated by Culture Minister M A Baby at VJT Hall on Monday evening, covers many defining moments in the making of the veteran poet.
ONV will be honoured with the Jnanpith Award at a function to be held in Thiruvananthapuram on February 11.
In the befitting run-up to D-Day, the Kerala State Culture Department has announced a five-day-long celebration which takes off with the photo exhibition. It will be followed by seminars, poetry readings, and get-together of ONV’s students.
The exhibition has an impressive collection of photos that offer glimpses into the poet’s childhood, days of youth that he shared with the best of pals, including Vayalar and Sambasivan, at the students’ hostel in Kollam, the shaping of the minstrel of Communism in the company of Thoppil Bhasi, O Madhavan and Kambisseri at the Kalidasa Kalakendram and the years of poetic grace that turned him into a nostalgic imagery for every Malayali.
Especially noteworthy are the snaps in which a very young ONV is seen riding on a country boat with a friend; the group photo taken while Vayalar came visiting ONV at the boys’ hostel in Kollam; the complete crew of Kalidasa Kalakendram, including Thilakan, O Madhavan, J C Daniel, Devarajan and others; the loving farewell ONV was given in Kollam by Thoppil Bhasi, Kambisseri and other friends when he departed to join as lecturer at the Maharaja’s College; his masterpiece ‘Ujjaini’ being released by Kesavan Potti at the KPCC office as PKV looks on; poet P Kunjiraman sharing a light moment with him; ONV along with EMS; Olappamanna, G Sankara Kurup and others sitting on the floor while recording poetry readings on the hundredth anniversary of India’s first war of independence and the covers of ‘Pattu pusthakam’ (lyrics book) which has songs of Kalidasa Kalakendram’s dramas like ‘Muthuchippy’ and ‘Janani Janmabhoomi’ penned by ONV.
The series titled ‘Kudumbathinte Sangeetham’ features some intimate moments he shares with his family - when he holds his first born in his laps; is flanked by wife, son and daughter at his home; and is cuddled up to by his two grandchildren Amrita and Aparna. There are also photos in which he is seen with other notable personalities like Bhisham Sahni, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, L Vaidyanathan, Salil Chowdhary and others. The innumerable award functions in which he was honoured form another large section.
The exhibition has been coordinated by Aura, a city-based firm headed by Sajinbabu, whose documentary ‘Delegate’ on the IFFK was released recently.
trivandrum@expressbuzz.com