The Chitrangan exhibition at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi art gallery at Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, brings together the works of 15 artists — both trained and self-taught, curated by Bengaluru-based artist Sarthak Tyagi. By presenting a wide array of styles, media, and themes, from personal explorations of emotion to a Malayalified portrait of Frida Kahlo, the exhibition emphasises diversity and the integration of varied artistic voices.
The exhibition is organised by Kalashaala, founded by the curator to bring experienced artists and self-taught artists on the same stage. The organisation has held five exhibitions and will organise two more in February and March, in Goa and Bengaluru, respectively.
The works
Aparna Nandakumar’s Seeking Redemption is the rendition of a sacred grove, where her ancestral temple is situated. The grove is currently unattended, resulting in an unkempt appearance. The artist finds beauty in her surroundings, with the grove displaying a mystic glow despite being neglected. . “I have tried to convey an inner meaning that even if there are no devotees or no supporters to lift you up, if you have inner determination to grow, you will glow. The temple is maintained by nature,” says Aparna.
Aparna Nandakumar’s Seeking Redemption
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Her other works include a portrait of the Meenakshi Sundareshwar statues inspired by the sculptures at Khajuraho and a work titled Transcending the Template. In the latter, inspired by the South Indian tradition of hanging palm fronds during auspicious occasions, the leaves are shaped like birds, representing societal roles that leave people lifeless.
Arun Shyamala Kumar’s works show Malayali men and women garbed in traditional attire. The variety in clothes and accessories represents different socio-economic identifiers, such as caste. The presence and absence of golden kasavu (zari) on their garments and ornaments in the portraits further underscores the economic difference the artist attempts to explore.
Arun Shyamala Kumar’s works
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Arya Suresh’s Picking the Mask showcases five types of makeup used by Kathakali characters standing beside a woman. The artist says, “The work depicts a woman must choose between these masks each day to survive.”
Frida Thampuratti, a portrait by Arya, was born out of her desire to see Frida Kahlo, a world-renowned Mexican painter, as a thampuratti or a Malayali noblewoman. “She was a feminist; her ideas were very bold for her time. I appreciate how she broke the mould in terms of life, by living on her own terms.”
Frida Thampuratti, a portrait by Arya
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Sindhu S Nair’s work, Sahasraksha, is a pictorial depiction of the story of how Lord Indra got 1000 eyes on his body. Sindhu says, “Indra, infatuated with sage Gautama’s wife Ahalya, has an illicit relationship with her. In rage, Gautama curses Indra to have 1000 female genitals on his body. Ashamed, Indra goes into isolation. When other gods request the sage to reverse his curse, he agrees to change them into eyes.” The mixed media work is a combination of Hindu mythology with contemporary art.
Sahasraksha and Maya by Sindhu S Nair
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Sindhu’s other works include Panchavaktra, depicting the five faces of Shiva, and Maya, a work on optical illusion.
Works by Anupama Ramachandran
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen
Anupama Ramachandran’s three works, Change, Transform, and Hope, divulge the emotions of the artist. “I am an intuitive painter. I paint what I feel like. I am also a healer; the concept of healing through painting is what appeals to me. It is what I am feeling at the time. I start by doodling and work on that concept. It can also change while I am working on it.”
Chitrangan exhibition is on at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi art gallery, Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan, till January 25.
Published – January 24, 2026 09:12 am IST
