Kerala Lalithakala Akademi charts global ambitions

The newly appointed office-bearers of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi have drawn up an ambitious action plan to transform the State’s premier visual arts institution into a world-class cultural centre.

The decisions were taken at the first meeting of the new governing body, chaired by Akademi chairperson Prof. Prakash Moorthy, at the Akademi headquarters in Thrissur on Thursday.

As part of its plans to expand the reach of visual arts, the Akademi will organise painting, sculpture and digital media camps at major locations in Keralam associated with Mahatma Gandhi. The initiative is intended to explore the cultural and historical significance of these places through contemporary artistic practices.

Art exchange

The Akademi will also launch ‘Art Exchange’ programmes to showcase internationally acclaimed works by late masters of Indian painting, taking their artistic legacy to national and international audiences.

Recognising the changing landscape of visual arts, the Akademi plans to organise camps and seminars at the Kalagramam in Kannur and the Raja Ravi Varma Smarakam in Kilimanoor. The programmes will focus on new possibilities in art and encourage artists to respond to the needs and sensibilities of the contemporary era.

Financial difficulties

The meeting also discussed the Akademi’s financial difficulties. The new leadership decided to approach the government seeking urgent financial assistance while simultaneously preparing detailed plans to generate independent revenue for the institution.

The Akademi’s galleries will also be given a new lease of life through regular exhibitions and artistic activities. As the first step, a curated exhibition titled ‘Punarjani’, featuring selected works from the Akademi’s collection, will be held at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Art Gallery at Vyloppilli Samskriti Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on October 13.

Akademi secretary Vaikom M.K. Shibu said the exhibition would mark the beginning of efforts to make the Akademi’s gallery spaces vibrant centres of artistic engagement.