Picture of CN Karunakaran on the display at the exhibition “Divine Female” in the gallery ecami in Kannur. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The ongoing exhibition “Divine Female” in the Gallery Ecami in Kannura invites visitors to the world where the screen comes to life, memory and nature. This represents the works of the late CN Karunakaran, an artist whose visual language mixes Keral’s mural tradition with a deeply personal style rooted in femininity and grace of nature.
Karunakaran’s work, known for its fine lines and stylized characters, stands out for a significant depiction of female form.
A student of the Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, Karunakaran, trained under renowned artists such as DP Roy Choudhury and KCS Paniker. Soon, however, he moved beyond the Madras School and drew inspiration from the rich wall tradition of Kerala. His paintings avoid realism, prefer flat compositions, living colors and bold lines that reflect the traditional two -dimensional style.
“His work draws inspiration from the past, but never imitates it,” said art critic P. Sudhan, a member of the curator team. “He reimaginated tradition in a way that feels fresh and deeply personally. The women in his paintings are strong but fine – part of nature, not except that this close relationship between women and nature gives Karunakaran’s art added lyrical quality.
The exhibition captures the essence of Karunakaran’s work. “We wanted people to see not only paintings, but the world in them,” said Mahesh Ottachalil, a gallery control partner. “Every line and color bears emotions – the inner world formed by respect and imagination,” he added.
The exhibition will be closed on July 12.
Published – 29. June 2025 17:44
