KOCHI: Jayesh K K’s ‘In the wood’ portrays the life of the dalit community. Imprinted on paper using intricately decorated wood, these works speak of the relationship between dalits and nature.
Himself a dalit, Jayesh K K expressed, “Whether in history books or poems, stories or philosophies, dalits are closely associated to nature. This is the inspiration for my paintings.” The painter has also taken inspiration from Kallen Pokkudan, a nature and dalit activist.
Having learnt the skill of woodcut printing from Shantiniketan, Jayesh K K is on a mission to tell the world of dalit experiences. “Dalit ideologies are now prominent. But the same cannot be said in the visual world,” he says. Included in his twenty art pieces at the Durbar Hall in Kochi are some of his experiences as well. This art exhibition also houses some art pieces that were selected for some awards. ‘With my ancestors in Shantiniketan’ was selected to be displayed at the Kendra Lalitha Academy and was the only woodcut print art piece selected. ‘Beypore Sultanum Pathumayude Aadum’ was selected for the Academy awards by the Kerala Lalitha Acaedemy, 2014-15.
Jayesh K K did extensive research on Theyyam and dalit life by taking interviews, analyzing the place of dalits in Indian history and reading dalit philosophies. His experience and research is now accumulated in a book called ‘Azhimurithira’ which will be published soon.