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Photo S. Mahinsha

Colours of Nature T.V. Chandranandan with his paintings

“Man and nature, aren’t they one? The style of overlapping is an attempt to connect the two,” he smiles as his paintings do the talking. The works depict the elements in fury along with the slow brewing of a tempest. Chandranan admits to spending time aplenty at locales on the outskirts of the city, often studying the temperamental sky.

“The reflection of light from Kallar to Poovar is what I have worked on. Clouds are a great source of inspiration to me. Vellayani Agriculture College offers a closer view,” he says adding, “The night sky when observed from Vizhinjam reveals more details. So does the water where the moon projects the most terrifying reflection at 2 a.m. in Vizhinjam while the stars are a delight to watch.”

Be it the Maharaja of erstwhile Travancore with a sword depicting the annual arattu procession, which is interwoven with the wild, raging sea as a backdrop, or recent social issues, Chandranandan is constantly receptive to the stirrings of his mind. “News is a source of ideas,” he muses.

Every painting requires study from various distances as each tells a different story and reveals a new character. Despite the strong emotions portrayed, the spectator feels soothed amongst the predominantly verdant strokes. If ‘Lotus Dream’ captures the mischief of the artiste in his childhood , ‘Vision from off-tender’ shows a reclining Lord Ganesh. ‘Lotus Dream’ was the sole nomination from Kerala for the national award in 2006. Chandranandan prefers the acrylic medium to give life to his imagination.

Often the horticulture institute, where he is publication designer, provides all the inspiration he needs along with a circle of friends with whom he indulges in brainstorming sessions and a mentor, Chandran T.V., from his alma mater who has the final word on his works. The painter in him refuses to try learning the many software used by designers fearing it might obstruct his creative efforts with the brush.

“The medium of acrylic is relatively new so I decided to work with it this time around. Each painting takes long periods of mulling over before the final version is decided on,” he says.

Dreamy and surreal, the works invite and make one ponder, the portraits seeming to breathe with the freshness of tone and colour.

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