Bengaluru: Aranmula is a quaint little town on the banks of River Pamba, which is known among other things for its unique craft of mirror making.
The town is also known for its ancient Parathasarathy temple and the associated annual festival that is globally renowned for its snake boat races along the river considered holy by many in Kerala.
Steeped in heritage and traditions, the temple town is a cultural hub of the south Kerala district of Pathanamthitta, which is the centre of the annual Sabrimala pilgrimage.
Naturally, the little town has been attracting cultural and religious aficionados from time immemorial, creating a rich synthesis of ideas and expressions.
Over the years, this fertile land has also given birth to a range of intellectuals, poets, artisans and artists.
As we travelled through this serene land, exploring the nature, culture and customs of the place, we came across an artist who is quietly creative like his town, even as his unique repertoire of art speaks for itself.
Expressive hands
Artist G. Jayakrishnan is taciturn, unassuming and contemplative in manners, but what he lacks in words, he makes up with his expressive hands and brush.
A visit to his residence in Aranmula is like taking a walk through a gallery of modern art, helping us engage us with an eccentric world of visual expression.
Among the riot of colours in murals and miniature paintings, some frames of rare finesse and intricacy stand out - they represent the Areca art.
An accomplished mural painter and teacher, Jayakrishnan is not only one of the torch bearers of Kerala’s legendary art heritage, but also the founder of an art form derived out of waste from Arecanut husk.
Arecanut is abundant in Kerala, grown on slender palm trees that are found in the backyard of almost every household in rural Kerala.
Though, the fruit has many uses in the traditional medicine and cuisine, it is mainly used as a condiment now. However, the outer husk of the fruit which was traditionally burnt as a fuel, is now generally wasted.
“Growing up in a rural setting, Arecanut was always around us. Heaps of Arecanut and its husk would be found in the backyard and I would always wonder how this could be brought to a productive use,” said the 36-year-old artist.
Teacher
An accomplished art teacher in at Aranmula’s prestigious Vastu Vidya Gurukulam, Jayakrishnan grew up in a household that had elements of art as well as nature, which helped him in dabbling with the resources that came from the environment.
“I started using Arecanut husk to create art when I was in grade 9. It is my innovation. My grandfather was an Arecanut trader so everyday I would see Arecanut shells and husk getting wasted. I kept thinking about ways to use this husk. One day on the way from school it suddenly dawned on me that this husk could be used to create art pieces about the natural environment around us. So, I tried and it worked,” added the self-taught artist.
Though, Jayakrishnan grew up in a household where he saw his father create works of art through paper and pencil, he didn’t learn much from anyone.
“I didn’t go to any art school, neither did I get any training from anyone. Art came naturally to me, it’s a gift from God. I have been painting and drawing from the age of 12. I went to Aranmula Government School and studied till grade 12. I didn’t go to college because I wanted to pursue art full time. Later, when my art was noticed by others, I got an offer to work at the Gurukulam. Now, this is my life, I am married to art, I teach during day time and create my art in the evenings and mornings,” said Jayakrishnan, who is still single and is happily wedded to his art.
Wide range
Over the years, Jayakrishnan has evolved as an artist and now he creates a wide range of pieces using the husk.
Drawing heavily from nature and the rural atmosphere around him, Jayakrishnan creates evocative pieces that will not only soothe your nerves, but will also help you reflect and be mindful of the world around you.
“I believe, an artist’s job is not just to represent the reality around him, but to also make people think and ask pertinent questions about the reality. I try to make my art representative of my surroundings, the idea is to bring people closer to nature and make people think,” said Jayakrishnan.
Living in his ancestral home located right next to the ancient Parathasarathy Temple, not too far away from the idyllic Pamba River, Jayakrishnan has enough elements around him to inspire his expression. An inspiration he makes full use of to inspire others.
-- Shafaat Shahbandari is a freelance journalist and founder-editor of Thousand Shades of India
