Two artists who redefined and interpreted Kerala’s artistic heritage to craft a up to date physique of work have been remembered lately at an exhibition titled ‘Masterpieces: A Tribute’. Held at the College of Fine Arts in Thiruvananthapuram, it featured 31 works of artist Ok.M. Vasudevan Namboodiri and 85 works of C.N. Karunakaran. Drawing inspiration from Kerala’s visible artwork traditions, the two had provide you with a color palette and fashion uniquely their very own.
Students of Ok.C.S. Paniker and Roy Chaudhari, each educated in Chennai and their work was deeply influenced by the metropolis’s vibrant artists’ motion. They have been additionally acclaimed illustrators of novels and brief tales by main Malayalam writers, and contributed as artwork administrators in movies. But the similarities finish there.
Vasudevan Namboothiris’ artwork piece depicting ladies engaged in every day chores.
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Vasudevan’s (1925-2023) displayed exceptional versatility, working throughout numerous mediums corresponding to paper, canvas, wooden, stone, cement, fibre and copper. This exhibition showcased his mastery over recreating a Kerala that has nearly light away.
A charcoal portrait of Karunakaran by Vasudevan welcomed guests to the gallery. On show have been 31 works, together with charcoal sketches and oils, that are amongst his final creations. His start centenary shall be celebrated by the Government of Kerala on September 13.
Since a lot of his work displays the area’s tradition and traditions, the exhibition featured items depicting ladies from totally different communities wearing the mundu. Among them have been 4 works — one charcoal on paper and three pastels — exhibiting Christian ladies in chatta-mundu, distinguished by the vishari, or pleated folds, at the again. Several works that present Muslim ladies going about their routine wearing pristine white with the thattam (material overlaying the head) and additionally of ladies from the Hindu neighborhood.
Many of Vasudevan’s works, in sepia tones, have been created for a solo present, Ente Keralam, curated by Deepa Seetharam (in 2008), who has additionally put collectively this present. The work, in charcoal and pastel from this assortment, pay a tribute to the reddish laterite soil of the State.
Vasudevan’s deep curiosity and familiarity with Kathakali additionally come alive in three of the reveals — a scene from Kuchelavritham and Kathakali actors donning the roles of Rama and Hanuman on stage.
Karunakaran’s beautiful frames
Karunakaran’s oil work depict beautiful landscapes.
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Unlike the minimalism and austerity of Vasudevan’s canvases, Karunakaran’s (1940-2013) works are an explosion of color palettes and populated by phantasmagorical figures. There are oils, pen and ink sketches, acrylics on canvas and watercolours. The statuesque ladies, resembling Indian sculptures, inhabit an area crammed with flora (influenced by Indian miniatures) and fauna.
Like A. Ramachandran, one other grasp from Kerala, whose artwork was influenced by murals and mythology, Karunakaran was additionally impressed by the area’s mural artwork custom. He was born in Brahmakulam, close to Guruvayur, a spot identified for this artwork. While some of the work on show symbolize his signature play with geometric types, a couple of oils depict beautiful landscapes. The watercolours have a translucent impact, giving a sense of lightness to the works.
Some of Karunakaran’s work symbolize his signature play with geometric types.
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Karunakaran’s works merge the lyricism of Indian visible aesthetics along with his modernist sensibilities. He was maybe the first to open a non-public artwork gallery, Chitrakoodam, in Kochi.
