Kerala art teacher celebrates 21 years of student showcases

For the past 21 years (except for the pandemic years), creator VB Venu has been conducting a amusement of works painted by students attending the summertime campy helium organises astatine his Chaithram Institute of Fine Art, Palluruthy. “The fig of participants has dwindled post-COVID. Earlier, determination utilized to beryllium much than 100; it is down to hardly 50-odd children now. This twelvemonth determination were 54 children. The works of children who are regular students are besides connected show,” says Venu.

The works are exhibited by the children astatine the decision of the two-month coating classes that helium conducts during summertime vacation. Initially, erstwhile helium started this, helium utilized to grounds these astatine Chitram Art Gallery, successful Ravipuram. But present the Spectrum of Colours showcase is ever astatine Chaithram Institute of Fine Art. This year’s variation opened connected May 28.

This twelvemonth is peculiar for Venu besides due to the fact that Chaithram completes 40 years connected July 6. It was inaugurated by Artist Namboodiri successful 1986.

Venu, who was a bully pupil successful school, initially wanted to beryllium an designer but had to forgo the dream. “My household was not successful a fiscal authorities to money that acquisition for me. I joined Maharaja’s College for my graduation, wherever I happened to spot 2 creation shows — 1 by the precocious KP Krishna Kumar held astatine the assemblage and the other, the State Exhibition, which was besides being held successful Kochi astatine the time.” What helium saw astatine these shows impacted him capable to marque him privation to larn art. 

He joined a section arts schoolhouse astatine Thoppumpady, wherever helium completed a diploma successful arts earlier joining Kerala Kalapeedam, acceptable up by the precocious creator MV Devan successful the precocious 1970s. “I enjoyed myself, and it felt similar I had recovered my calling,” reminisces Venu, who has been portion of creation shows. 

One day, astatine 26, arsenic helium walked to Kalapeedam, helium had an epiphany: helium needed to bash thing to gain a living. That is however helium decided to acceptable up Chaithram, adjacent his home, wherever helium offered courses for those taking the Kerala Government Technical Examination. Over time, with less takers for the courses, helium pivoted to his archetypal love: art. Young students, keen to larn drafting and art, joined Chaithram, which grew into the creation institute it is now. 

It was 21 years agone that helium decided to behaviour arts classes for the children during the summertime vacation, astatine the culmination of which helium felt a showcase would beryllium a assurance boost for the children. “I asked the parents if they would beryllium interested, and of course, they were connected board, which is however this amusement came to be.” 

The amusement concludes connected May 30