Kerala   

The power of lines

— Photo: S. Mahinsha

Creator: Artist Namboodiri at an exhibition of his drawings, titled ‘Ente Keralam,’ in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.

Artist Namboodiri uses lines to weave magic on his canvas. There are few artists in Kerala who has mastered the power of lines quite like him.

The grace and simplicity of his flowing lines have endeared him to art-lovers across the world. His drawings have helped bring life to characters in the novels and short stories of a galaxy of eminent writers in Malayalam.

A versatile artist, Namboodiri works with different media such as paper, canvas, wood, stone, cement, fibre and copper. He has also made his mark, working as art director for several outstanding works of film-makers like Aravindan, Padmarajan and Shaji N. Karun.

The latest works of Namboodiri are on display at an exhibition titled ‘Ente Keralam,’ which began at the ARTsmart gallery in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Actor Mohanlal, who boasts a large collection of Namboodiri drawings, inaugurated the event.

Most of the pictures featured in the exhibition were drawn especially for the show. The artist has also used colour in a distinctly understated manner. The themes of his paintings are everyday scenes in Kerala, like people going about their chores, dressed in traditional attire as they laugh, talk, celebrate and interact with each other. The pictures portray the richness of life and human relationships. Also on display are exquisite works that capture Kathakali scenes, temple festivals and village games.

A student of KCS Panicker and Roy Choudhari at the Madras School of Fine Arts, Namboodiri began his career as an illustrator with the Mathrubhumi weekly. He was chairman of the Kerala Lalitkala Akademi and is the recipient of the Raja Ravi Varma award for the year 2003.

The exhibition goes on up to January 26.

T. Nandakumar

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