KOZHIKODE: The idea of using art for humanity’s sake was what seven people found common among them while attending the Bachelor of Fine Arts course at DMS Lalitha Kala Maha Samsthana College in Mysore. Over the years, their friendship developed beyond the limits of their college campus, which led to the formation of ‘Pintorus,’ a group of creative artists.
At a time when the group is celebrating four years of existence this year, painters and photographers Jagadeesh Palayat from Vadakara, Rejith K T of Koothuparamba, Vimal S Kollaraayil of Cherthala, P Sreekumar Kanniparamba of Kozhikode, Mithun S B of Cherupa, Arunjith Pazhassi of Mattannur and Justin George of Thaliparamba have many activities to their credit.
When many artists limit their creativity to conducting exhibitions in art galleries alone, one of the experienced artists in Pintorus, P Sreekumar, uses it as a potential tool to draw the authorities’ attention to the serious issues in society. “As an artist I cannot remain tight-lipped when injustices happen in society,” says Sreekumar, who calls himself a street painter. To unite people to stand for the safety and security of women he is about to launch a tour from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram, exhibiting his paintings. “I know bringing change is not easy, but sitting idle is a crime,” he smiles. The same spirit keeps them united even though they are not in the same place and same profession. Upholding the Indian tradition in showing respect and security to women they are all set to widen the ‘Save Girl, Save Woman and Save Nature’ programme coined by Sreekumar.
Another painter and graphic designer from Kasaragod district, Justin George, who presents simple themes through blue light and shadows in his paintings, says through the group they want to make paintings popular among the commoners who still take it as something aristocratic. Might be because of this thought still people hesitate to have a look at the paintings on display at art galleries. In a bid to make painting widely accepted among the public, an exhibition-cum-sale of their paintings will be held in Coimbatore in October.
A good share of the money we get will definitely go to needy people, they unanimously say. In the coming years, we are planning more humanitarian programmes in the rural belts of the state, says Vimal. Since we know the power of brush and paint it is our obligation to make others familiarise themselves with the powerful tools.
He has already produced several short films that raise voice against atrocities against women. A programme to train kids in painting is also on the cards. Introduced to painting at a tender age, all the seven members follow the art with the same passion, combining it with photography, the art of lens and light.