Colours from the heart
K. SENTHIL KUMAR
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The exhibition of paintings by K.V. Jyothilal draws inspiration from the immortal romantic songs of P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar.
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Capturing the soul: K.V. Jyothilal’s paintings evoke myriad images of P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar’s romantic songs.
For any painter, capturing the soul of a film song on canvas is a formidable challenge. Gorky Bhavan the was venue for an exhibition of paintings by K.V. Jyothilal whose work draws inspiration from the immortal love songs of P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar
. An ‘impressionist’ painter who deploys surrealist techniques, Jyothilal’s paintings offer a refreshing experience.
Myriad images
The love songs of P. Bhaskaran and Vayalar evoke myriad images in the minds of listeners. Rolling hills sunk in fog, vernal woods, celestial beings, the setting moon and the nocturnal birds flying across it, the love-struck lute player, backwaters and the boatman, the undulating flame of the oil lamps villagers’ use, and the star-studded sky all come to mind as listeners sink into the lyrics. P. Bhaskaran ‘regionalised’ the ‘saahitya’ of Malayalam film songs by innovating the language in such a way as to include rustic and rural imagery.
Says Jyothilal, ‘When I heard of the death of P. Bhaskaran, I wept. I had known him personally and it was a sad loss. That night, I listened to his songs. I went down memory lane. I thought of my boyhood days and the little village where I was born. As I listened to each song, colour, form and figures surfaced in my mind. I took the brush, dipped it in colour and started painting.”
The paintings seem to be spontaneous creations from the heart. There are no pre-conceived concepts or norms here. Love and loss (‘Sannyaasini’ by Vayalar), nostalgia (‘Sankhupushpam’ by Vayalar), hope and fantasy (‘Innenikku pottu kuthaan’, ‘Innale nee oru’, ‘Ente svapnathin,’ all by P.Bhaskaran), yearning (‘Svargaputhri navaraathri’ by Vayalar), euphoria (Vayalar’s ‘Devaloka rathavumaai) have all been faithfully recreated in these paintings.
The craft is simple and the colour scheme captivating. As the backdrop and figures change, each painting becomes unique. ‘Thaalathil thaalathil’ from the film ‘Chenda’ painted in deep green is an especially enchanting work.
Were the selection of songs made because of the visual scope they offered? “Strictly speaking, no. They are some of my favourite songs. I feel a painter can visualise any song and can give it an expression on canvas.”
‘Dehumanisation’
His previous projects include ‘Thathaagathan’ and ‘Perceptions.’ ‘Thathaagathan’ is a series of paintings that portray powerfully the increasing fragmentation in man’s mind and the ensuing ‘dehumanisation.’ One of his paintings depicts human-like forms turned into pillars gazing at us with lifeless eyes –a powerful statement on the ‘petrifaction’ of the human heart.
“I don’t subscribe to any particular school or method of painting. Art should not be the luxury of the elite. It should reach the masses. And the government should give adequate support to painters. I’m optimistic about the future of painting. In fact, the response I had from the viewers in this exhibition was encouraging.”
Apart from using acrylic on canvas, Jyothilal has also done oil paintings and pen- and-ink drawings. Winner of the A.C.K. Raja Memorial award and recipient of the Kerala Lalitakala Akademi fellowship, he has held exhibitions all over the State and outside.
Jyothilal works as an art teacher in Government Girls’ High School, Chavara. Viewed as a tribute to two of the greatest lyricists of Malayalam cinema, his present project is praiseworthy.
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