From angst came art brimming with life

Thiruvananthapuram: The artiste fraternity in the city has come together to organize a five-day tribute to remember one of its beloved cultural figure artist, Girish Kumar. Lalithakala academy is hosting an exhibition of his select works at its campus.
Around 36 paintings by Girish using varied mediums such as acrylic, pencil sketches, water colour are on display at the exhibition titled ‘missing space’

According to Girish Kumar’s wife Mini Sukumar, an assistant professor with Calicut University, Girish was a self-taught artist who began painting while recovering from an accident. She reminisced that how his family and friends where surprised when they saw his canvases.

“Battling depression and disability, his tryst with paintings and colour began. His painting are depictions of his friendship, fantasies, love and compassion in vibrant colours. He had organized several exhibitions across districts in the state”, said Mini Sukumar.

The exhibition is open to public from 10 am to 7 pm and will conclude on Sunday.

During the commemorative event held on Thursday at Vylopilli Samskrithi Bhavan, three documentaries on Girish Kumar - ‘Chithra kadha’ captured by director cum cinematographer Venu, Varakalum Nirangalum by writer Unni R and Ente Achan by Girish’s daughter Anna Mini were screened. Renowned cartoonist EP Unni had conducted a lecture on topic ‘Old Cartoon: New Politics’- a presentation on cartoons of second world war (Hitler’s time).