Since its formation, the State has witnessed several turbulent and momentous moments that have shaped its political, cultural and social milieu over the years.
The media has played a vital role in capturing the various milestones and preserving them for posterity. An exhibition organised on the Tagore Theatre premises takes visitors on a journey through time by displaying 60 photographs, 60 newspaper cuttings, and 60 cartoons to commemorate the 60 years of the State’s formation.
Visitors are welcomed by a picture clicked in 1948 after the mortal remains of P. Krishna Pillai, who sowed seeds of the Communist movement in Kerala, was brought to the coir factory workers’ union in Alappuzha.
The images that capture the last elections to the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1954 are next in line at the exhibition. From here, one is taken through many stages of the State’s journey with some influencing the course of its future.
There are some poignant, heart-wrenching scenes that have been preserved. Among them are pictures of a youth’s agony over the death of his friends, who became a few in the long line of victims of the political violence in Kannur, and the anguish of a woman, one of the many evictees of Moolampilly, as she watches her house being demolished.
The iconic image taken by legendary French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson of the nozzle of the first Indian rocket being carried to the launch pad at Thumba on a bicycle in 1966 is a highlight of the collection.
There are also displays of archived newspaper reports and cartoons that provided a window to the world when the reports or artwork were published.
Organisers
The two-day exhibition has been organised jointly by the Kerala Media Academy and Kerala Cartoon Academy in connection with the presentation of the Swadeshabhimani Kesari award on Tuesday.
Filmmaker Shaji N. Karun inaugurated the exhibition. Kerala Media Academy chairman R.S. Babu, Information and Public Relations director K. Ampady, Asianet News editor M.G. Radhakrishnan, Kerala Cartoon Academy secretary Sudheer Nath, and Kerala Union of Working Journalists district secretary C. Rahim also spoke.
Malayala Manorama editorial director Thomas Jacob, who will be presented the award by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was also present on the occasion.
