Kerala   

Brush with colour, history and art

PAST FORWARD: Mural paintings at the international airport at Karipur.

Lots of colour and a touch of history have been added to the new international terminal at the airport here.

The Thrissur-based Mammiyur Krishnankutty Nair Asaan Foundation was entrusted with the work on the panels portraying traditional mural paintings and mural relief work in the new building at the airport at Karipur.

The three panels have been put up at different locations at the terminal. The arrival of Vasco da Gama on the shores of Malabar is one of the subjects that has found its way onto a 36 ft long and 8 ft wide panel.

Guidelines

The guidelines were provided by M.G.S. Narayanan, historian, and information gathered from history books on the arrival of the Portuguese fleet comprising three sail vessels on the Kozhikode Coast, an important event in the history of the country, says Sadanandan, chairman of the foundation.

"The works at the international terminal are part of our objective to promote traditional art, besides creating awareness among the public on issues such as nationalism and other historical events," he adds.

The panel also depicts the welcome accorded by the Kozhikode Zamorin to the Portuguese visitors and their travel through the city.

The second panel, 27 ft long and 10 ft wide, imbibes the spirit of the `mamangam,' besides focussing on the folk art of North Malabar such as Theyyam, Thira, Poothan, Padayani, Kalaripayyattu and Kolkali.

Natural dyes

Only natural dyes have been used in the first two works. The three panels comprise an area of 800 sq. ft.

The 23 ft. long third panel on `relief mural' work has symbols of nationalism with depictions of Mahatma Gandhi spinning on the `charkha,' the Ashoka pillar, the Sun Temple at Konark and classical art forms of Kerala such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattom. The `vallamkali' and herds of elephants too find a place among the relief murals.

Artists associated with the foundation Basant Peringode, Ajithan Puthumana, Gopi Chevayur and Krishnan Malliseri have imbued life into the murals with their innate creativity and dexterity.

Maleeha Raghaviah

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Munnar will be developed after eviction drive: VS
Supreme Court declines to stay Munnar eviction
Returning to ace status
Brush with colour, history and art
Gearing up for a battle of wits
A wax model of Mother Teresa
A treat for film lovers
The ring tone menace
Anniversary fete
Nature's canvas

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu