Artist-writer Tensing Joseph describes his exhibition, Southern Latitudes: Scenes from Madras & Trivandrum, as an “academic show for the art community”. Showcasing over 140 works by 30 acclaimed artists, the event at the College of Fine Arts (CFA), Thiruvananthapuram, explores the evolution of modern art in South India, analysing its developments in Keralam and erstwhile Madras, while paying homage to artistic initiatives like the Cholamandal Artists’ Village founded by KCS Paniker.
Southern Latitudes: Scenes from Madras & Trivandrum features the works of P Kesavankutty, CL Porinchukutty, RB Bhaskaran, Alphonso Doss, Anila Jacob, C Dakshinamoorthy, AP Santhanaraj, Valsan Koorma Kolleri, C Viswanathan, KK Rajappan, Hiroshi Mikami, NKP Muthukoya, CN Karunakaran, C Douglas, G Rajendran, P Gopinath, K Hebbar, K Jayapala Panicker, Madathil Vasudevan, NS Bendre, Artist Namboothiri, SG Vasudev, S Nandagopal, M Santhanam, ACK Raja, KM Adimoolam, Akkitham Narayanan, Kanayi Kunhiraman, Kattoor Narayana Pillai and KCS Paniker.
“The emergence of modernism in Keralam started in the 1960s and continued till the ‘80s. The exhibition is an investigation into how it began in the State — in films, literature and the overall culture,” says Tensing, who curated a lineup show last year in Kochi, featuring 15 artists dealing with the same theme. However, the collection did not include a few key works from Keralam and Tamil Nadu.
“In Keralam, modernism began with O Chandu Menon’s novel Indulekha. Later, writers like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, MT Vasudevan Nair, M Mukundan and Kamala Suraiyya wrote for weekly magazines. These publications led the movement. MV Devanand Namboothiri worked as illustrators at these places too,” explains Tensing.
Director Adoor Dopalakrishnan at Southern Latitudes: Scenes from Madras & Trivandrum exhibition | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The exhibition displays works in various media: pastels, acrylics, sculptures, etc. An extensive display of newspaper snippets, magazine articles and archival documents is also placed at the entrance, providing context for the works while painting a picture of the socio-political atmosphere.
“The articles and documents were collected from various sourcesand artists’ families. I want the works to corroborate these records, understand the importance of these pieces, how they worked as artists, what influenced them, and how the media perceived them. It was an extensive investigation which began six months ago,” says Tensing.
An archival photograph on display at Southern Latitudes: Scenes from Madras & Trivandrum | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
From Madras
The showcase identifies the importance of Madras School of Arts (now Government College of Fine Arts at Egmore in Chennai) as a key point for the movement.
“KCS Paniker was the principal of that college, and a lot of students from there later became teachers at the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, like Porinchukutty sir, Kanayi Kunhiraman, ACK Raja and Kattoor Narayana Pillai. Then there were artists like Devan, Karunakaran and Jayapala Panicker who were practising art as freelancers outside of pedagogical practices,” says Tensing.
He adds, “In the ‘60s, south Indian modernism was linked with a pan-Indian modern art movement. However, south Indian artists in Madras focused on regional modernism, deviating from a national trend that emphasised figurism and tantrism. Artists from Keralam revolted against these practices, leading to the formation of the Indian Radical Painters’ and Sculptors’ Association in the ‘80s.”
Challenges faced
Tensing says the biggest challenge he faced was sourcing the works. “Some of them were in a very bad condition, and it was impossible to conserve or preserve them. Many of these artists are not alive, and even if you ask their family members, it might still be difficult to access the pieces. Galleries wouldn’t be open to giving the artworks to you either,” he says.
“It was teachers, family members of these artists and other artists I know who came together for me. I also had to verify the authenticity of the works and ensure that they are originals and not reproductions,” he says.
Southern Latitudes: Scenes from Madras & Trivandrum is on at College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, till October 25. Time: 10am to 7pm