Rural Kerala art back on canvas
Niracharthu has also recently started an art residency, Nidarsana, for artists to stay at peace and unveil their creativity.
Niracharthu, a national painting camp, that marks the revival of the arts and cultural space in the rural areas of Kerala has become one of the prominent art-related events of the state ever since its inception in 2015. Twenty renowned painters from different parts the country are participating in the camp. A movement which began in Enkakad village that boasts of rich cultural lineage has now become a beacon of village art and cultural festivals in the state. Incubated by a village community of art lovers, the event is organised by the Niracharthu Kala Samskarika Samiti, which has been conducting the national painting camp and village art festival at Enkakad since 2015. The fifth edition of the event concludes today. The paintings drawn during the camp will be displayed in the moving art gallery of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi on Sunday and Monday.
Elaborating on the camp, Sathish Kumar, one of the organisers, says, “The aim of Niracharthu Kala Samskarika Samiti is to revive the authentic art of our villages, which, despite being very unique, has been neglected because majority of the art exhibitions, workshops and camps are limited to cities and deny the fair share of cultural space to art enthusiasts in the far off places. The uniqueness of this camp is that artists are accorded accommodations in village homes and are free to pick and choose any work location of their liking.”
Kathakali chutti art – painting fusion demonstration by the couple Kalamandalam Barabara and Vijayakumar has become the highlight of Niracharthu this year. This edition was dedicated to the fond memories of Kalamandalam Hyderali. Kalamandalam Gopi did the honours by handing over the portrait of Kalamandalam Hyderali to his wife Afsa.
A photo exhibition, Oru Vattam Koodi, comprising around 200 photographs depicting the lives of yesteryear legends, is being conducted along with the camp. Niracharthu has also recently started an art residency, Nidarsana, for artists to stay at peace and unveil their creativity. As a prelude to annual national painting camp and village art festival, a three-day children’s painting camp is also conducted every year, in association with the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.