Brush with injustice
SAJINI V. SAHADEVAN
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The works of Kabita Mukhopadhyay and K.Prabhakaran reflect the artists’ reaction to injustice.
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Photo: S. Mahinsha
Earthen strokes: The works of Kabita Mukhopadhyay and K.Prabhakaran portray human activity and nature.
Mysterious blues, earthy browns and murky greens dominate the 50 canvases that portray human activity and nature. If it were not for the signatures, one would not know that the works exhibited at Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram, were the creative efforts of two artists.
“When two people live under the same roof, they may begin to resemble each other like siblings,” says Kabita Mukhopadhyay.
‘A Promised Land’
The works of the two Kozhikode-based artistes – Kabita and K. Prabhakaran span issues from the time when women stayed in the shadows to a series of landscapes called ‘A Promised Land’ in the wake of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. “There was a time when a woman was not allowed to voice her opinion. Her opinions turned to doubts when the older women and men tried to silence her,” explains Prabhakaran.
The couple have chosen to let no act of injustice go untouched by the brush – the priceless memorabilia that went missing from the Rabindra Museum to violent acts by religious fanatics.
“This is the 13th exhibition. We’ve been journeying since 2001. We came with rolls of paper, ready to paint, dependent on friends who would prove to be our support, providing us with the means to make this a reality,” says Kabita.
‘The Great Procession,’ as it is called, has been a crusade of sorts as the couple had organised lectures and seminars by art critics, historians and artists over the course of the exhibition. Both painters have worked as art therapists at a psycho-social rehabilitation centre at Kozhikode.
“These paintings are not mere products; what is seen here is life; these are my sadhana and siddhi,” emphasises Kabita.
Commercialisation
Reacting to the present art scenario that is dominated by commercialisation she says, “I am a curator myself. I motivate like-minded people to join us in this fight against the degradation of culture. When we are in contact with the masses they buffer the influence of middlemen. There are many artists in the new generation but they are not given the exposure they deserve unless they comply with the demands of these mediators. Why do we need external influences where knowledge is eroded and culture misinterpreted?”
“Anyone can be a part of our fight against injustice. They can purchase what is affordable to them. It is not our bread,” states Kabita.
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