KOCHI: The mundane is depicted in extraordinary ways in the frames exhibited. It looks like there’s no dearth of ideas as the artists have exploited many things under the sun in a different vein. The exhibition of photographs and cartoons organised by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi at their art gallery in Kozhikode offers a treat for the senses and mind. The exhibition showcases the works shortlisted for the state award instituted by the Akademi.
According to Akademi secretary Vaikom K Shibu, the entries to both categories were invited without giving a particular theme.
“The artists were given complete freedom to choose the theme,” he said.
The pictures depict different walks of the life. While Babu Pulikottil’s ‘Orukkam’ focuses on the agrarian culture of the God’s Own Country, Ajith K K’s ‘Aratt’ portrays the rituals prevailing in the Hindu way of life. The photos of Joshy Manjummel, Biju Mathew and Manikantan A V brings to life the beauty and serenity of the land.
“The exhibition is being organised to encourage the participants who took the pains to take part in the competition. A total of 260 entries were put up before the jury among which a total of 64 photos were shortlisted for the exhibition,” he said.
Vishnu V Nair of Kottayam has bagged the state award for photography for the his entry ‘Enkanmanikurangan E Snehachoodu’.
Damu Sargam’s ‘My Cycle’, Abdul Noushad’s ‘Never Ending Roads’, Arun Kumar C’s ‘When Man Turns to God’, Anoop P S’ ‘Mysterious View’, Anoop Kumar P A’s ‘Daily Life’, Ashkar Ali’s ‘Back to the Past’, Badarudheen C M’s ‘Against the Flow’, Baiju M P’s ‘Padam Pacha’, Bijulal’s ‘Maramadi’, Jessy Joseph’s ‘Morning’ and Joshy Manjummel’s ‘Lonely are some of the mesmerising pictures exhibited.
In the cartoon section, the works portraying the current political scenario of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are put up along with the non-political drawings. A total of 88 works are showcased in the exhibition. “We got a total of 120 entries from 54 artists and 88 works were shortlisted from that,” says Shibu.
Rajendrakumar’s ‘Chat Arambham Karishyami’ has been selected for the award for best cartoon. It portrays the current generation’s addiction to online chatting in a satirical form against the backdrop of ‘Vidyarambham’. Jayesh K K’s ‘Dhe Poyi Dhe Vannu’, Anilkumar C’s Mullaperiyar Dam, Sabumon M S’ ‘Janasamparka Paripadi’ and Shilin V S’ ‘Rekha’ are the notable works in the exhibition.