A Brief Survey of The Art Scenario of Kerala

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In this book Vijayakumar Menon is trying to give a short history of the painting tradition and Sculpture of Kerala from mural to modern period. He is not just listing the artists but he tries to describe the overall situation of the art scene of Kerala in different periods and stages. The approach is interdisciplinary. Often he connects the art scene with literary trends and social factors. He also tries to give a brief account of the change in concept, expression and sensibility in the art Scenario of Kerala.

A Brief Survey of the Art Scenario of Kerala' by Vijayakumar Menon is the third book in the Kerala Heritage Series' of the International Centre for Kerala Studies. The aim of this series is to publish 100 books on the History, Geography, Religion, Language, Culture, Society, Performing arts, other arts and Science of Kerala. We have already published two books in this series; A brief history of Malayalam Language and Keralathile Nadan Sangeetham (Folk music of Kerala). In this book Vijayakumar Menon is trying to give a short history of the painting tradition and Sculpture of Kerala from mural to modern period. He is not just listing the artists but he tries to describe the overall situation of the art scene of Kerala in different periods and stages. The approach is interdisciplinary. Often he connects the art scene with literary trends and social factors. He also attempts to draw the aesthetic differences and developments at different periods.

It has been noted time and again by many that there are very few studies on the art of Kerala barring a few essays. Hence it is difficult to get authentic vital references and information. Many critics like Asok Mitra have seen the dawn of modernity in Indian art in Ravivarma, but unfortunately plastic arts did not have a healthy development after Ravivarma till the emergence of K.C.S. Panikkar. But the second half of the 20th Century picked up momentum in art activity.

The last decade of the 20th Century saw a healthy growth in the art activity of Kerala. A few galleries including those of Kerala Lalithakala Akademi at Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikkode opened in 1990s, and at Kanjanhgad and Kottayam later helped to promote a 'gallery culture' which we did not have till recently. The lack of display venue for the artists was a real impediment that made the Kerala art scenario weak.