Manaveeyam Veedhi, the city’s cultural corridor that comes alive on weekends with song, dance, and performances under the aegis of the Manaveeyam Theruvorakoottam and other groups, is also a canvas for art works, its walls filled with colour by some well-known artists.
Now, in connection with the 16th anniversary of the Veedhi, a group of animators from Vismayasmax have made wall portraits of Kamala Surayya, Kavalam Narayana Panicker, Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan, and O.V. Vijayan on the stretch. This tribute to some of the most renowned names in Malayalam literature is an attempt to keep their memory alive among the public.
Different approach
There was also a conscious decision by them to do something different from what they had attempted earlier on the Veedhi and what other artists had done. “Earlier, we had taken a theme-based approach. For instance in the case of O.V. Vijayan, our concept was Koomankavu of his novel Khasakkinte Ithihasam . This time we made the art work look like an illustration.”
The colour scheme of white, grey, and black adds depth and draws attention to the portraits. It was also a challenge to ensure continuity of the lines when the portraits are looked at from afar, especially as the walls are not plain. Work on the portraits got under way on the day of the anniversary, and finishing touches were given on Sunday.
More in the offing
The group plans to draw the portraits of Vaikom Mohammed Basheer and G. Aravindan on the walls.
