Kerala - Malappuram   

A mural show with a difference

YOUTHFUL VIGOUR: Krishnan V.R. in front of his murals exhibited at the Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery, Kottakunnu, Malappuram.

MALAPPURAM: A painting exhibition being held at the Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery in Kottakunnu has caught the attention of art lovers in and around Malappuram.

The youthful zest of artist Krishnan V.R. in giving fidelity to Kerala’s traditional mural culture has won the praise of visitors at the Kottakunnu art gallery.

Mr. Krishnan’s three-dozen-odd murals displayed at the art gallery are different not only in their subject treatment but in choice of colours and medium as well. Yet, even when breaking the conventions of the traditional mural art, the artist has succeeded in putting up a great show of mural paintings.

Each painting tells us a story. The mythological references and innuendos are aplenty in Mr. Krishnan’s paintings. Even when applying the established motifs, the artist has made an attempt to be different.

The paintings of gods and goddesses in a variety of moods are on display at Kottakunnu. But what makes the show novel is a series of sketches portraying Christ’s Passion without colours. The sketches are not displayed in order. But they convey the events leading to Crucifixion solely by the energy of the lines.

“It is this strength of the lines that prompted me to give the show the subtitle—with energetic lines and warm tones,” said Mr. Krishnan. The colourless sketches of the Passion of Christ add contrast and variety to the show called Panchavarna.

Artist K.V. Dayanandan, who visited the exhibition on Monday, stood in admiration before the 14-part series of Christ’s Passion.

“It is a bold move on the part of Mr. Krishnan. Those who dare to break the conventions will definitely go places,” said Mr. Dayanandan, appreciating one of the mural paintings done in acrylic. “There are paintings done in water colour, acrylic and natural colours. It is not easy to use natural colours,” pointed out Mr. Krishnan.

The show will conclude on Tuesday.

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