THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If things pan out, the Raja Ravi Varma Cultural Centre functioning under the Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi at Kilimanoor will soon get a new library and gallery complex.
“The library can be used by postgraduate students as a reference facility on art. The centre is now two years old, and we are planning a new building to house the library and a new gallery,” Akademi chairman Kattoor Narayana Pillai said, in connection with the 169th birth anniversary celebrations of the artist-prince which is set to be held at Kilimanoor on Friday.
The centre, which sits less than a kilometre from the famed Kilimanoor Palace, currently has one gallery which boasts life-size canvas prints of Ravi Varma’s best-known paintings. “ The centre, which is situated on 2.5 acres, has big possibilities. In future, for example, it can be developed as a research centre under the university,” Narayana Pillai said.
According to him, the number of people visiting Kilimanoor and the centre, especially foreign visitors, are increasing every year. Friday, April 29, marks the 169th birth anniversary of Raja Ravi Varma, whose works are considered a prime example of blending European and Indian artistic sensibilities.
RAVI VARMA BUST
On Friday, a bronze bust of Raja Ravi Varma will be unveiled at the centre. The bust has been crafted by Thomas Kovoor, who heads the sculpture department of College of Fine Arts in Rajasthan. Aswathy Tirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi will unveil the bust at the birth anniversary celebrations on Friday.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Aswathy Thirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi of the erstwhile Travancore royal family will inaugurate the birth anniversary celebrations at 10 am which will feature the dedication of the cultural centre and a one-day water colour painting camp. Kattoor Narayana Pillai will preside over the function. Akademi secretary Vaikom M K Shibu and Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi chairman Soorya Krishnamoorthi will be present. Around 40 artists will be attending the camp on water colour art.