For Kathakali aficionados, there will be no replacement for Kottakkal Sivaraman. He was the last word in the portrayal of woman characters in Kathakali. His death a couple of days back deprived the art scene of a master, a towering presence.
And for those who want to get one last glimpse of the master performing, Vernissage Art Gallery is providing a chance. The 30-minute-documentary Minukku by award-winning M.R. Rajan will be screened at the gallery on Saturday.
An exhibition of photographs of the master taken by Rajan Karimoola, senior photo journalist, will also be inaugurated on the same day. The exhibition, titled ‘Shivaraamaneeyam', will be on at Vernissage Gallery B till July 29. Film actor Ranjini will inaugurate the exhibition ‘Kites and Smiling Faces' at Gallery A, featuring 30 works, mostly in acrylic, by Mody Thomas and Kajal Charankatt. The exhibition will be on till August 8. Literary critic M.K. Sanoo will preside over the function.
Prof. Sanoo will inaugurate the Russian school along the gallery. The art programme offered at the school will have eminent Russian artists coming in every three months to train students in their style. The school is also planning to organise exchange programmes for students who demonstrate exceptional talents. “The students will be properly introduced to the Russian art, which employs vibrant colours to create the mood,” said Indu Francis, art director at Vernissage.
The gallery will also organise a painting competition for physically challenged children from special schools to mark the occasion.
