‘Remixing Reminiscence’ is an exhibition of paintings that tell the subtle tales of everyday life. Water colour paintings of Sujith V T and Haridas Nareeckal displayed at Durbar Hall Art Gallery explore the simplicity of the lives of countryfolk. The village life with all its innocence and serenity is depicted in the canvases.
“Our paintings mainly focus on the things that are seen around us. They are simple but has profound meanings attached,” says Haridas. Be it the lush green landscape of Kerala and its country life or the trickling river or the painting of a boat on a riverside, all the paintings bring a nostalgia to the viewers. A lifestyle that we have long forgotten is reminisced through the paintings.
“My paintings reflect on people and places that come across my life,” says Sujith.
The canvas on a mother-daughter duo drawing water from the village well, elephants crossing a dry river bed, a tin of Ponds talcum powder and an old torch, each painting takes us back to the simple and quiet life led by people years back. “We all grew up in villages and our paintings have a strong influence of the life that we had experienced as children,” recollects Haridas. For Haridas, the beauty of Kerala cannot be limited to its backwaters and Chinese nets. “Kerala is just not a place of backwaters and Chinese nets alone, there are many other elements that makes it a Gods Own Country,” opines Haridas. Agreeing with Haridas, Sujith adds, “Our paintings depict the beauty of Kerala in its true rustic flavours.”
Being alumnis of RLV college Thripunithura, Haridas and Sujith share similar passion on art. Though all their exhibits are on water colour, they also do acrylic painting and sketching. Their works also have the influence of their journeys to many rural pockets in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. “The landscape of Tamil Nadu is apt for Water colouring,” observes Haridas. A publication designer, Haridas is also the recipient of the ‘International Quality Summit Award’.
The exhibition will conclude on Thursday.