Kochi Art, Culture, Literature, Kochi-Muziris Biennale

[Malayaali]

Kochi was home to some of the most influential figures in Malayalam literature, including Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, Kesari Balakrishna Pillai, G. Sankara Kurup, and Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon. Changampuzha is popular in Malaysia for his bestseller, Ramanan, written in the romantic tradition.

The Durbar Hall Ground in the city plays host to numerous cultural events that happen in the city. The Changampuzha Park on the suburbs of the city is also a popular venue for various cultural activities and performances.

In Kochi Art, Culture and Entertainment is a scintillating mix of both traditional and contemporary recreational activities. The depth of Kochi art, culture and entertainment is a reflection of the rich historical mores of the region. Culture of Kochi is understood through the rich Malayalam literature, religion, food and Kathakali, the classical dance form. However, entertainment in Kochi center round the classical dance performances and shopping around the city's commercial centers.

Kochi is jumping leap into art through Kochi Muziris Bienalle, India’s inaugural festival of international contemporary visual arts, the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a non-profit endeavor, will take place in Kochi and Muziris in 2012. Partnering with the Muziris Heritage Foundation the Biennale will celebrate India's rich cultural and social heritage.

Kochi-Muziris Biennale will be the largest contemporary public art event in the country. To be held every other year, the project will showcase artwork created by some of the world’s most engaging artists, both established and emerging, from India and abroad. The exhibition will present a variety of mediums from film, installation, painting, sculpture, new media and performance art.

Various eminent organisations like Cochin Cultural Centre, Jose Thomas Performing Arts Centre (JT Pac), Greenix etc. add to the art culture in the city.

[Malayaali]

Kochi, now an artists' paradise

A potpourri of various cultures, Kochi is slowly transforming into the art capital of the state. The city with its 20 big and small art galleries, is gearing up for better days, claim artists.

Dinesh R Shenoy, an artist based out of Mattancherry is one of the many artistes abide by this belief. "Kochi has always been open to so many cultures, communities and different types of art. The influences can still be seen in the work of the present day artist," says Shenoy. He now owns a gallery for his paintings, where he sells his works to foreigners and locals alike.

The art scenario in Kochi has become more dynamic because of the varied people in the city who turn up for exhibitions, says Bahuleyan C, another city-based artist. The 39-year-old artist, who has participated in international exhibitions, including those in Poland and Kuwait believes that the appreciation for art is much better now. "What we now need to focus on is the marketing of art," he says.

Jayanth, director for Kerala Arts Gallery, believes there is democracy or equality in art. "From a schoolchild to a retiree, they all come to see, question and understand paintings. There is also a rise in a young generation of artists, willing to experiment on canvas," says Jayanth.

Art lovers like Mia, a German tourist traveling through Kochi feels that art in Kerala has something unique about it. "Maybe it's the rich cultural tradition, or the urge to not be type-casted.

I feel that art especially in paintings are more poignant than compared to their western counterparts. The artist's stylization also is worth a study," she says.

A potpourri of various cultures, Kochi is turning out to be the art capital of the state. And there is much scope for artistes who feel that the city which boasts of around 20 big and small art galleries is gearing up for better days.

Dinesh R Shenoy, an artist based out of Mattancherry is one of the many artistes who strongly abide by this belief. "Kochi has always been open to so many cultures, communities and different types of art. The influences can still be seen in present day artist and art of Kochi," trusts Shenoy. He now owns a gallery for his paintings, where he sells his works to foreigners and locals alike.

The art scene in Kochi has become more dynamic because of the varied people in the city who turn up for exhibitions, thinks Bahuleyan C, another city-based artist. The 39 year old who has to his credit exhibitions conducted in Poland, Kuwait believes that the appreciation scene is better here. "What we need to focus in Kochi is the marketing of art now," he says.

Jayanth, director for Kerala Arts Gallery, says there is now a democracy or equality in art. He explains, "From a schoolchild to a retiree, these passer-by's come to see, question and understand paintings. There is also a rise of a young generation of artists, from schoolchildren to retirees willing to experiment on canvas!"

And art lovers like Mia, a German tourist travelling in Fort Kochi, is not complaining. She feels that art in Kerala has got a unique perspective. "Maybe it's the rich cultural tradition, or the urge to not be type-casted, I feel that the art especially in paintings are more poignant than compared to their western counterparts. The artist's stylization also is worth a study," she opined.

[Malayaali]

New Look Cochin Durbar Hall

[Malayaali]

City turns art mart destination

An art enthusiast at the Durbar Hall Art Gallery in Kochi which re-opened after
renovation — DC

With the opening of the all-new Durbar Hall art gallery and the mushrooming of several big and small art galleries, Kochi is being transformed into one of the most important art circuits in the country. Quite a change from its earlier static and uninspiring art scene.

Now the harbour city is set to become a favourite destination for the artistic fraternity across the country.

“The Durbar Hall art gallery is now the finest gallery in the country. It will undoubtedly attract the most talented artists from across the world,” predicted Riyas Komu, secretary of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, which had undertaken the gallery’s renovation.

The gallery has been remodeled along international standards, using lights imported from Germany and climate and pest-control facilities, he said.

The renovation was done by the Mumbai-based conservation architect, Vikas Dilawari, with lighting arrangements by Sathish Rane from Pune.

The city has seen the mushrooming of several small and big art galleries in the recent past. Fort Kochi and Mattanchery are dotted with a number of galleries displaying creative works.

“The Durbar Hall gallery has been converted into one of the best galleries in the world. This is really going to be an international space. After the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, more international shows will come to Kochi,” says Mr. Rajan M Krishnan, a renowned artist.

T. Kaladharan, a veteran artist who was behind the establishment of the state’s renowned Kalapeedhom, welcomes the arrival of this modern gallery.

“There will be a host of exhibitions in the city now, especially with the Kochi Muziris Biennale exhibition scheduled in 2012. With the proliferation of galleries, there could be a tendency to come out with prints, which should be discouraged,” he cautioned.

The creative contribution of the younger generation of artists from the state like Riyas Komu, Bose Krishnamachari, Rajan M Krishnan, Zakeer Hussein, N.N. Rimson and many others have contributed to Kochi’s growth as a major art centre.

“There was a time when most Kerala artists preferred to move to other cities to continue their art career. But now the trend is showing a reversal,” adds Rajan.

Deccan Chronicle

[Malayaali]

Kochi International Book Festival

The International Book Festival, Kochi, (IBFK) is organized by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithy, Kochi, (APS) a registered charitable society, established to promote reading, encourage writing, and to heighten an awareness of literacy and literary arts in the State of Kerala
Established in the year, 1997, the APS has so far organized 15th International Book Festivals

While most book exhibitions around the world are trade fairs, giving prominence to publishers, book sellers, distributors and the like, APS decided to focus on the book lover and the reader. When APS entered the scene in 1997, books were sold in Kerala like any other commodity and book sellers used to organize book markets (Pusthaka chantha) to sell their wares. APS changed the nomenclature for ever. The market place was transformed to festival grounds. The ten day festival became the meeting ground for thousands of book lovers, writers, scholars, students, teachers, academicians etc. Thanks to APS no Book Seller in Kerala dare to name his exhibition as Pusthaka chantha (Book Fair) any more, even if they were actually fairs. The term ‘Book Festival’ has become a marketing tool for them.

APS is also involved in conducting various activities for encouraging young writers, such as literary workshops, literary and art competitions, etc.

APS provides assistance to libraries in Kerala in various forms. During the last 3 years, we donated books to 150 libraries and 50 school libraries in the State

From 2007 onwards APS is organizing the Children’s Book Festival. A unique book festival for school children, it encourages them to exhibit their private collections before their school mates and win prizes. School authorities also participate in the exhibition by bringing their dusty volumes outside their school libraries. An independent panel of judges visit the schools and award prizes.

One of the most prestigious literary awards in Kerala –the Balamani Amma Award for lifetime achievement in language and literature and also for the Best Publisher is instituted by APS

[Malayaali]

Hill Palace's glorious 25 years of Public Viewing



The ancient corridors of the Hill Palace in Tripunithura are temporarily hijacked by a bunch of noisy school kids. A hapless teacher narrates tales of kings, wars and conquests, all the while pleading with them to be silent. In one of the adjoining halls, a few north Indian tourists cannot hide their admiration for the exquisite royal ornaments on display.

It has been 25 years since the Hill Palace Museum began drawing such curious visitors to its intriguing history. The first and the largest heritage museum of Kerala, this 146-year-old palace has witnessed opulence, decadence, popularity and controversy in equal measure.

Neglect

During the royal reign in the late 19th century, it flourished. But the years of majestic glory gave way to a period of neglect after the death of the last king of Kochi, Rama Varma Pareekshith Thampuran, in 1964. “The first time I visited the palace in 1982, the garden resembled a mini forest. Between 1965 and 1980, after the royal family moved out, the building deteriorated,” says K.R. Sylendranath, curator of the Hill Palace museum. The royal family had let out the complex to the Cochin University but that did not prevent the building from falling to ruin.

The Government's archaeological department, which took over the palace in 1980, spent six years trying to restore its glory. In May 1986, the museum was thrown open to the public, with 11 galleries showcasing objects sourced from the Cochin royal family and the department's own collections. Today, it has 17 galleries flaunting the historical treasures of Kerala: A gold crown of 1.75 kg, presented to the king of Cochin by King Immanuel of Portugal, and the Bible (Hebrew, Old Testament) written on goat skin are examples. The palace soon regained its status as an important landmark, another one of Kochi's historical beauty spots, and became a favourite location for many filmmakers. It was declared a protected monument in 2003. The Government's Department of Cultural Affairs has set up a Centre for Heritage Studies within the museum, which offers PG diploma courses and short-term certificate courses in archaeology, museology, conservation and archival studies.

The stories about the palace are glamorously varied. Some books say the palace was built for Prince Rama Varma, who did not like to be confined to the small chambers of the Valiyammathampuran Palace in Thripunithura and decided to have a palace all for himself. The work on the palace complex began in 1865. And the young Rama Varma, it is said, loved his spanking new abode sprawled over 52 acres, complete with an ettukettu (a traditional building with two courtyards), make-up-cum-prayer room, kitchen, temple, four ponds and a ‘kulapura' (a roofed area at one end of a pond, where women could have a bath). But the story soon changes. The palace was built by the Cochin royal family as a safe haven to protect its women and children from enemy troops, according to a department official. Some buildings were added even as late as 1956.

The later additions to the museum, the deer park, pre-historic park and children's park drew flak from traditionalists, as they felt these would dilute the seriousness of the museum. Also, as allegations of over-population of deer in the park spread, environmentalists protested, forcing the authorities to shift some animals out of the park. P.K. Gopi, former curator and documentation officer of the museum, however, feels the concept of having other elements helps prevent “museum fatigue”. “Being inside a museum for a long time could be mentally taxing. Entertainment options outside will be relaxing,” he says.

As you enter the main palace hall, you are struck by the coolness of the Italian and Victorian tiles beneath your feet. A pretty mosaic of Prussian blue, beige and yellow! It is said the royal family brought workers from the Bombay British Company in 1895. “The sheer antiquity of the materials makes the process of restoration all the more complicated,” says Sylendranath. The last renovation was undertaken at an expense of Rs 4.5 crore, in 2010, when it got a new walkway with 200 lamps. The walkway has become a favoured location for morning walkers in Tripunithura.

“There are hundreds of anecdotes about the palace,” says T.P. Vijaya, the museum's information officer. The museum now has around 20 gallery attenders, 22 part-time sweepers, six guides and 34 people to take care of its famed garden. However, some of the old charm has been lost forever. Back in the early 19th century, one could spot an enemy ship approaching, from the balcony of the grand old building.

Now, all you can see is a sea of skyscrapers.

Films shot at the Hill Palace

Moonnam Mura (1988), Manichitrathazhu (1993), Pingami (1994), Kaliyoonjal (1997), Dreams (2000), Documentary, Divine Love and Prince Painter (2003) Chhota Mumbai (2007)

Flora and fauna

The palace compound has a wealth of flora. About 90 species of trees were identified in the last enumeration conducted in 1994. Nature enthusiasts Sandeep K. Varma and Gokul Vinayan carried out a study of the faunal diversity in the Hill Palace compound. They recently published a book called “The Fauna of Hill Palace” in which they have identified 13 species of spiders, 31 species of butterflies, 7 species of amphibians and 16 species of reptiles on the campus.

[Malayaali]

JustBooks woos book lovers in Kochi

India`s first and largest community library chain JustBooks has opened its first branch in Kerala, at Panampilly Nagar, with 10,500 books.

All the books have RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification Devices) for tracking their whereabouts, ensuring access to thousands of members, a first for an Indian library, Alex Joseph, a franchisee of JustBooks, said.

The library chain has branches across six cities, namely Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Mysore and Mangalore.

JustBooks gives its member access to over 5 lakh books across 39 categories, the popular ones being fiction, cookery, romantic, literature and management.

Incubated at the N S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurship Learning (NSRCEL) of IIM, Bangalore, JustBooks is managed by its parent company, Strata Retail and Technology Services Private Ltd.

JustBooks also offers a range of value added services, such as free delivery at the doorstep, personalised reading recommendations and the luxury of maintaining a personal read-next-register to queue up titles that a member wishes to read.

[Malayaali]

Kochi to witness Mega Kathakali Event



Kochi is one of the major Kathakali performance centers, thanks to several professional Kathakali Theatres in the city. However most of them are meant for touristy pleasures providing Kerala's richest art-form in nut-shell or capsule.... Come this saturday, India will witness its first mega Kathakali performance at Edapally, with more than 50 ARTISTES on stage, protraying stories of Mahabharatha starting from Game of Dice to Vastraharam to Kalyana Sowukadhikam, portraying almost every characterization in Kathakali, for 12 hours continuously.

The Mega Kathakali Show is promoted by Kerala first facebook fuelled Kathakali Enthusiasts as their opening event.

[Malayaali]

Kochi Hosts the Best Art Exhibitions this Season

Kochi will be treated with some nice art exhibitions this season. Thanks to the numerous art galleries in the city and the artists who have been contributing their bit for it. From paintings to photographs, art-lovers will be treated with the best. You have much to do this month. Make sure you do not miss them. Here is the list of the pioneer ones in the city.

The Orthic and acrylic paintings by T. Kaladharan is a must check out. The exhibition is happening full-fledged at the Orthic Creative Centre. Bindi art Gallery is conducting an exhibition of paintings. So if you need some pretty paintings to take them home and decorate your living room, make sure you check this one out.

There are more paintings galore in the city. Visit the Eka Art Gallery at Fortkochi to witness the exhibition of paintings of Asanthan. The Rosita Art Gallery at Fortkochi is also conducting an exhibition of paintings by Vipin. K. Nair.

So if your interest lies in photography, we have news for you guys as well! Visit the Durbar Hall Art Centre to check out the ‘Kananachaya’, an exhibition of photographs. This is conducted by the Kerala Lalithakala Academy.

[dhanesh2k]

Dance and music fete in Kalady

Kalady is all set to host the annual Sree Sankara Dance and Music festival.

About 560 artistes from various parts of the country will attend the fifth edition of the event. Danseuse Kalamandalam Kshemavathi will inaugurate the fete at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mohana Tulasi, senior artiste, will inaugurate a family meet.

P. V. Peethambaran, chief coordinator of the fete, said on Friday that 24 dancers will participate in a special presentation ‘Sreekrishna Kathamritham' to be staged on the inaugural day. Prof. Peethambaran said nearly 80 group events will be presented during the fete. Manju Bhargavi, Kuchipudi dancer, will perform on December 28 while Gopika Varma will present Mohiniyattom on December 29. Noted dancer Priyadarshini Govind will perform Bharatanatyam on December 30. Nearly 35 artistes will participate in the music fete that will be held on December 31.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2743817.ece

[dhanesh2k]

Minister congratulates M.K. Sanoo

Two days after his winning the coveted Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for his literary biography of Vaikom Mohammad Basheer, critic M.K. Sanoo continues to be busy receiving admirers.

On Friday, Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs K.V. Thomas paid a visit to Sanoo master's residence at Karikkamuri around noon to congratulate him on the achievement.

The half-an-hour meeting, marked by warmth and affection, saw the duo recollect the literary and cultural scene of Kochi a few decades ago.

Shawl presented

After honouring Sanoo master with a shawl, Mr. Thomas greeted him and his wife Ratnamma on the occasion of Christmas and New Year.

Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi would call on Sanoo master, their guru, in the next couple of days to share the joy of the award with him, the minister said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2743816.ece

[vjkrishn]

UPCOMING ART EXIBITIONS AT KASHI ART GALLERY (BURGHER STREET FORT KOCHI)

•Vivek Vilasini
Gallery Installation
Dec 23, 2011– Jan 14, 201
•Gayatri Gamuz
Oil Paintings
Jan 16 - Feb 10, 2012

http://www.kashiartgallery.com/index.htm

[vjkrishn]

Kochi all set to host Keralotsavam

The preparations for the state Keralotsavam, which will be held here from December 27 to 30, have been completed, district panchayat president Eldose Kunnappalli said. “Around 6,500 students from across the state will participate in the event. Eleven venues have been arranged at Kakkanad. Art competitions will be held at five venues whereas sports competitions will be conducted at six venues,” he said.

Transportation facilities have been arranged to Aluva, Ernakulam North and South railway stations on December 27 and 28 from 2 to 5 pm. 30 buses and 25 mini buses will conduct services.

http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/...am/346748.html

[Malayaali]

Reminiscence – Art Exhibition at Bindi Art Gallery

Bindi art Gallery, Kochi is going to be the venue for Classic display of Syamlal Iverkala’s and T.R. Rajesh’s Painting Works. This is to be conducted for the first time at Kochi and privileged to be inaugurated by Sri. Kattur Narayana Pillai, Vice Chairman of Kerala Lalithakala Akademi. This is a rare opportunity in this Christmas time and the Advent of 2012. You can experience the rare artistic talents and cool portraits. Its a great opportunity to get to know the World’s innovative talent and feel the artistic touch.



All are invited for the grant inaugural on 26th December 2011 at 11 a.m. The exhibition will be open till 30th December.

[Malayaali]

Kashi Screening – ‘Bodies and Elements’ by Gayatri Gamuz

In this season of holidays, Kashi art Gallery is all set to become the venue for ”Bodies and Elements”, that showcase the recent oil paintings of Gayatri Gamuz. This Thiruvannamalai based artist has imbibed the Indian philosophical vision of Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam (World itself is Home) and Loka Samasta Sukhino Bavantu (Let all Beings be Happy and Prosperous) in all her paintings.



You will also get an exclusive opportunity to meet Gayatri on December 28. She will be sharing her experiences about how she adds eco-centric philosophy and poetic essence in all her art forms.

Don’t miss this visual treat that is happening in your city from December 28th, 2011 through January 30, 2012 at Kashi Art Gallery, Burgher Street, Fort Kochi.

[vjkrishn]

Mind and matter

One day, when Vipin K. Nair was eight years old, the class finished early. Whenever that happened his mother told him he should wait under the huge tree by the side of the road near the Shree Dharma Paripalana Yogam school at Palluruthy where he studied.

But while he was waiting, he suddenly felt sleepy. So, he went and lay down on the thick grass near the tree. Unfortunately, he could not be seen from the road. Soon, his parents and neighbours began to search frantically for him. At 6 p.m., Vipin got up and came to the road. It was getting dark; he began crying. But a neighbour who had gone to the school to do a check saw him and finally brought him home.

It was this memory that was a trigger for Vipin’s acrylic on canvas, ‘Freedom from roots’. Done in grey and black, it shows a huge overhanging tree with thick roots and foliage.

At the bottom lies a boy, who is in a deep sleep, his right leg stretched out. In the undergrowth, a few mushrooms can be seen. There are roots that look like snakes. If you step back, you can detect a face: cold eyes, a long nose, and a baleful grin. On the left is a woman, sitting with an upraised right leg and her long hair is flowing out onto the foliage. On the opposite side is another woman, her bare buttocks facing the viewer, with a side view of a protruding breast.

“The reason why I have shown the women is because they are motherly and offer protection and shade to those around them, including their husbands and children,” says Vipin. “That is the same function of the huge tree, which offers a home to so many small insects, apart from man.”

Nature has been the theme of many paintings. In one acrylic on canvas there are red-winged beetles moving around on green leaves and plants. Vipin has also drawn a volcano, before it has erupted, and has put in several embedded images. So there is a mountaintop that looks like two eyes staring back at you. The vent of the volcano gives the impression of it being a large eye or the entrance to a cave.

“Yes, I like to put several clues in a drawing,” says Vipin. “It is not just a volcano. There are people in it, and different moods have been expressed.” So, his paintings, a total of 16, even though they are abstract, can still be decoded with ease.

He has also done a few paintings, which is a physical expression of thoughts. So there are lines which go left and right, up and down, some blood-red in colour, indicating the chaotic mind of modern man. “I did this series on nature and the mind, because both are remarkable,” he says. “I would call them miracles of life. Nature keeps changing all the time, while the human mind, if its power is properly harnessed, can achieve anything.”

This is Vipin’s fourth solo exhibition. A graphic designer by day, he works late into the night on his paintings. “I am self-taught, but painting has been my passion for many years,” he says.

The exhibition continues at the Rositta Art Gallery, Fort Kochi , till January 4

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mind-and-...79-60-122.html

[vjkrishn]

Abstract message from two artists in acrylic on canvas

Bindhi Art Gallery is back again after its annual show that concluded recently, with yet another graphical delight. This time around, on show are the latest works of gifted painters Syamlal Iverkala and TR Rajesh. The show that's on from December 26 to 30, is indeed promising the common art enthusiast a mix of abstract art with a message that connects to one and all.

All paintings, acrylic on canvas, display vivid, contrasting hues and patterns inclusive of the main subject, which in the works of Rajesh is a human figure or body part; and objects and toys from childhood memories in the case of Syamlal's works.

Both Syamlal and Rajesh, alumni of College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, were rank holders. Syamlal is also a winner of various awards such as the All India Welfare Society Award in 1995 for his painting on Disabled People. The Postal Department brought out a stamp to honour this painting. Syamlal says the main theme of his paintings is 'Childhood Memories'. He conveys through his paintings, how children in his childhood had fun and leisure. His paintings portray a child sitting by a pond making paper boats, making toys and whistles out of banana leaves; playing with a slingshot, cycle tyre and such other games pursue by kids about 50 years ago in Kerala. He says through his paintings he wants adults to wander through their memories and recollect, and introduce these games and leisure activities among the new generation of kids.

In Rajesh's paintings, one sees an abstract depiction of human body parts such as limbs, lips and faces intended to convey a message on humanity. He specializes in still life and has mastered the art of portraying the human figure on canvas.

The artist says this time he has tried using this skill with a combination of abstract themes and colours symbolizing social changes in the current scenario. Rajesh who is currently an art teacher based in Orissa, is also into illustrating books and has worked with the National Book Trust (NBT) and Tulika Books, Chennai. He recently won the Kerala State award for the best 'Pictorial Book'.

This exhibition is an excellent mix of abstract art intertwined with display of emotions. The works of both these talented artists are priced around Rs 25,000 and above. And if one were to go by the effort put in by them, they surely deserve more.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/11272099.cms

[Malayaali]

Students make short film in Konkani

SUCCESS:The team behind the Konkani short film ‘Tiffin Box.'

‘Tiffin box,' a Konkani short film made by a group of students from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, is going places.

This is perhaps the first such film being produced in the State where a large number of Konkani speaking people live, said Sreenivasan, a postgraduate student of Islamic History at Maharaja's, who wrote the script for the campus film. The story is written by U. Madhu, a student of B.A. Islamic History.

The film has received critical acclaim and awards at various short film festivals in and outside the State. It was also noticed at the film festivals at Goa and Thiruvananthapuram, he said. Inspired by the success of the film, the students are now planning to make a micro-film in Konkani.

The film was shot in Palluruthy, Fort Kochi and Willingdon Island. Majority of the technicians and actors were students of the college. The script was penned after interactions with the Konkani community to learn more about their lives.

The team received much support from M.S. Viswambharan, Principal of the college and other teachers. The movie is part of an effort towards creating awareness about the language among the public, said Sreenivasan.

The protagonist of the film, Hari, is a young marketing executive in a leading private bank.

The story revolves around the personal and professional pressure faced by him in his daily life.

Hari represents the present youth who hanker after high end bikes and mobile phones and want to wallow in luxurious lifestyle. “We have tried to present the story in a different style,” he said.

The team plans to recoup the production cost by selling CDs of the film.

Vinith Venugopal and M.C. Varghese have done the photography and editing respectively.

[Malayaali]

Moved

[vjkrishn]

Potent narratives




Drawing Show', an art show on at David Hall, is an exploration of various concerns

Imagine the joy an artist derives when a viewer gets crazily inspired by his work and pens a poem on the spur of the moment. Well that's what happened to Jayendran after Lieselotte Stiegler spontaneously wrote out a short poem after seeing his series of seven works, ‘With Wings' at David Hall Art Gallery.
Jayendran of course feels handsomely rewarded. He is one of the four artists showcasing his drawings at a show called simply- ‘Drawing Show'- at the landmark heritage site- David Hall.

Black and white

All the drawings are done in black and white, with strategic use of colours, a hint here, a dash there and in some a clear, though sparing use. But wherever used, the effect is dramatic, most so, in the powerful and strong works of Sunil Vallarpadom.

Sunil is charged, he says, by the injustice and collusion of the State and the corporate sector in exploiting the tribals of Chhattisgarh. He voices his concern strongly, the colours highlighting his intense comment. In the dramatic two toned palette he expresses the helplessness of innocents facing trial for wrongs not done, convicts waiting for justice and the touching work of a young tribal girl trapped in the vile net of the powers that are.

The works titled ‘I am innocent why are you shooting into my heart?' itself is a straight forward query into an injustice that seems to have no easy answer. The use of bright red, strategically placed on the hearts of the protagonists is a telling effective use of the colour.

Of history

From the purely political one moves to the socio-political canvas of P. V. Nandan, who has chosen to celebrate the black legends of Afro- American history. Icons, who have contributed in different fields, from politics, to music, to sport. So we have Martin Luther King, Bob Marley, Nelson Mandela, Cassius Clay, Michael Jackson and Pele re-invoked in black and white, in dry pastels on paper. “Black is the deepest colour…it gives intensity… the same intensity that inspires deeply in my heart,” says Nandan. He has skilfully drawn out the heroes and laboured over the detailing. The backgrounds are telling of the time, period of history and some of the most well known facts about the men. The text behind Bob Marley reads the chorus of Buffalo Soldiers, while Martin Luther King's, has snatches from his famous, ‘I have a Dream' speech, Mandela's too is a political backdrop. Here again the white and black seems to abet and assist the artist in his passionate drive to celebrate his icons.

Asanthan loves his home grown tales and sounds and sights. The cow, goat, elephant, fish, pheasant are once again celebrated in his works, the limitation of colour not extenuating the eulogy. If he had a full palette would he do better? One doubts for there is pellucid adulation in his works for the chosen themes. A free flow of joy is clearly evident.

If the young girl in Jayendran's works - ‘With Wings' – is searching for freedom, then she could finally sit on a rainbow, but by the end of the story that he is telling, and narrating very keenly, in seven slow steps, his heroine is flying in the sky above, looking down happily at the world below.

For freedom

Fantasy, dreams are her world which the artist has drawn out. Jayendran as a child used to draw on walls with coal. He recollects, “I remember that. I feel the freedom.” In these works he seems to search for that bygone sense of freedom. They liberate him to a point just as did to Ms. Steigler who wrote out and handed these words to the artist:

“White feather on a black bird

Could be the sign that you cannot cross the bridge

Between your body and your mind, with foreign wings…

…your soul will speak if you

Nourish your body with the prison of illusion.”

‘Drawing Show' may not hold the same experience for onlookers as it did for Ms. Steigler but it will definitely stir strongly as it sweeps from politics, to history, culture and fantasy. The show concludes on January 3, 2012.

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-sty...cle2754687.ece