Creativity at its best with Lines and Colours

Reshmy Krishnakumar; Photo: Anwar Sadath Thalasserry Sunday, October 9, 2016 IIK: How is the response from your friends, family and others? Any feedback from the Arab community?

My children enjoy these series a lot. It is through these paintings they get to know about my childhood. They are really surprised to see the life during those days which is getting unveiled to them. They also recognize me in the picture with that designed shirt. I meet my old friends and classmates when I go for vacation. They are so happy to see the paintings of real time events which

we enjoyed together long back. They too relive the moment on each painting. Since I am posting all pictures on Facebook, I get immediate response from all over the world. That includes even the strangers on my followers list. All are happy to see those paintings as they can identify it to their own memories. I have seen Europeans commenting on it. I have not taken a special interest to show it to any particular community since Ormakalil is exclusively on a nostalgic Kerala background. Others may not be able to enjoy it as we do. I have done many such Arab background paintings also before. But no specific response. May be they have not seen them


IIK: Which one of these touched you the most?

All of them are my favorites which gave a special feeling beyond explanation while drawing. Even then, the one in which I painted my father feeding me is the most emotionally attached one.


IIK: Abstract paintings are not self-explanatory. Tell us your view on abstract painting. It is something which stands away from general public.


A normal painting is usually the reproduction of those registered pictures in the mind of an artist. Abstract is a totally different theory of creation. You have to have some real strong theme and concepts in your mind to make an abstract. There are people who don’t even accept abstracts as an art form. But as far as I am concerned it has meaning and it conveys many things to the viewers which the artist want to communicate. The creation solely depends on the artist and even the texture and colour has its own significance. An abstract can be read only by those who really have the taste and training on colours and hues. It needs a different level of thought process to understand. For that reason it is definitely at a distance from general public but has got its own popularity among those who really enjoys it. Limitations in terms of appreciation are there, when compared to series like Ormakalil which are readily readable for anyone. Exhibition is a powerful tool to educate art lovers to enjoy abstracts. The more you have chances to expose to abstract painting the more you will be able to understand and interpret it. We have to take extra effort to take it to exhibition gallery to make it popular. The five year course in Fine Arts included such training. I like to draw abstracts.


IIK: So don’t you think that even after all these struggles and pains to portray an abstract which reflects the artist’s feelings, it goes in vain by not getting the expected response or even a mis-interpretation of the concept of artist.

Once the painting is presented to the pubic then it is open to all. As an artist we don’t have to worry about how people are going to read it. At the beginning itself we know that it is going to be read in thousand different perspectives. Those who are really interested to know, they will come and ask, and for them the artist can explain. I just leave it for the viewers to read and understand as per their whims and fancies.

IIK: Tell us about your concept of drawing? How do you find yourself after these many years of experience?

According to my mother I was an observant child and started drawing at an earlier age, even before schooling. She describes how passionate I was about going with her to town and observing the surroundings. At school I got extra care and training from my drawing teachers. Later I joined Kerala School of Art at Thalasseri which helped a lot in refining my skills. With experience I grew. 3D painting on walls is a recent development in my career as part of interior decorations after reaching Kuwait. The innovative carving done on plaster of paris was my own idea which I experimented here. But my passion and soul is always in our usual style of artistic creations. I am happy that my hard work during the initial stages is getting paid now. What I am today is the result of all that.


IIK: How do you see the business prospect of this field?

In the current world any art form can have a business perspective. In a way it is good when your passion is your profession. But to market your art is an art in itself. If you don’t master it, your business will not be success. As far as I am concerned, I have a job in Kuwait which meets my financial requirements and for that reason I can have the privilege to take ‘Ormakalil’ as my sole priority now. Also, as I am using watercolor, I don’t incur much expense to think of an extra income to support me. So for the time being, no business intentions.


IIK: Recently you have made an entry to Malayalam film industry too. Can you tell us about that experience?

Malayalam film industry is not new to me. In the film Sadayam directed by Sibi Malayil, where Mohanlal played the role of an artist, the signboards which were shown as his work were actually done by me. It was highly appreciated by all. Recently what I did is the title work for the film Hallelooya directed by Sudhi Aanna.


IIK: What is your dream project other than Ormakalil?

I have many ideas in my mind which I have kept aside for the time being. One such dream is to paint the ‘scenes or life during night’. I would like to have a permanent gallery for Ormakalil in Kerala. I devote all my free time to complete Ormakalil series which is my only goal, as of now.


IIK: What will be your message to the aspiring artist?

The ultimate aim of any art form is joy, both for the artist and the viewers. At the same time an artist has the responsibility to react to the social circumstances. I believe it can make some ripples in the society. In painting, whatever be the medium you choose, the creation should have the power to catch the attention of viewers for a longer period rather than having a glance and leave. The onlookers should feel good and experience the oneness with the painting as a whole with colour combination, blending, theme etc. If talent is there, lots of practice with simple guidance can take anyone to heights.


Thank You for your valuable time and all the very best for your dreams