Women’s painting camp held at T K Padmini gallery in Kochi

A one-day art camp for women was held recently at the newly renovated T K Padmini Art Gallery in Kochi.

About 10 artists took part in the event, which was inaugurated online by minister A K Balan. The event also saw the screening of the movie ‘Padmini: A Life in Bold Sketches’ directed by

Sushmesh Chandroth

, and starring actress Anumol. The artists who took part in the event were Anju Acharya, Anju Pillai, Anupama Eliyas, Aryasree K S, Bijimol K C, Bindi Rajagopal, Devu G R, Gayathri A P, Helna Merin Joseph, Jayashri P G, Jiji Ajith Nida, Nisha T S, Santhakumari E N, Sarah Hussain, Suraja K S, Sriya K R, Uthara Ramesh, Vijini Dominic and Viswathi P. The artists spent the day in the company of colours and discussions on various art related themes, as they celebrated the occasion commemorating the late Padmini.

The art gallery, set up by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, features about 84 art works of Padmini, showcasing the many sacred groves of Kerala, ponds, paddy fields and more. The gallery also houses the letters the artist had written, her awards and other notable recognitions, a sketchbook she used, and a wooden bust of the artist sculpted by Thrissur-based sculptor Raju D, for the public.

Padmini is known for breaking many stereotypes of her time. Earlier, actress Anumol had mentioned in her interviews related to the movie that she even learnt to paint under artist T Kaladharan, to get her character right. The actress also paints Padmini’s last work Pattam Parathunna Penkutti in the movie.