By – KS Muralidharan
“Painting is the silence of thought and the music of sight.”
Art has the power to capture emotions, express the inexpressible, and bring colours to life. For Smt. Kala Prathap, painting is not just a hobby but a deep-rooted passion that has shaped her life. From her early childhood, she found solace in colours, brushes, and canvases. Even in a time when structured art classes were rare, she was fortunate to receive unwavering support from her parents. Despite prioritizing academics, her school vacations were entirely devoted to painting, often immersing herself for hours at a stretch.
A Journey Led by Intuition
When it comes to choosing subjects for her paintings, Kala Prathap trusts her instincts. Her art predominantly revolves around human figures, capturing expressions, emotions, and the essence of life. She believes that an artist’s mind works beyond logic – it feels, perceives, and transforms imagination into breathtaking visuals.
Honouring the Masters
Every artist has a guiding force, and for Kala, that inspiration comes from her first Art teacher, the late Dr. Hadapad. His ability to draw with precision on a blackboard left an indelible mark on her artistic journey. His perfectionism became the benchmark she aspired to reach, practicing diligently to refine her skills.
Alongside him, she deeply admires contemporary mural artists like Hariharan and Dileep, whose Kerala mural artistry has significantly influenced her work.
Exploring Kerala Mural Art
In 2018, Kala stumbled upon Kerala mural paintings, an encounter that changed the trajectory of her artistic expression. The contrast of colours, the measured approach, and the traditional five-colour palette fascinated her. She spent countless hours researching, analyzing over a thousand professional works, and meticulously learning the nuances of this age-old technique.
Unlike conventional paintings, Kerala murals require precise measurements (thalapramana), and she embraced the dot technique (bindujam), despite its painstaking nature. The results, however, have been nothing short of mesmerizing.
Her most cherished piece is the Geethopadesham painting, where she introduced a groundbreaking approach to shading the sky using dots – an unconventional yet stunning technique. Among her other significant works are Kaliamardhanam (3ft x 4ft) and her largest painting to date, Radha Madhavam (5.3ft x 4ft).
Over the past six years, Kala has devoted herself entirely to Kerala mural paintings and aspires to delve deeper into their intricacies.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Kala strongly believes that art should be nurtured from a young age. Encouraging children to appreciate the aesthetic beauty around them can unlock their innate artistic potential. She asserts that every child is an artist; they only need guidance to channel their creativity.
The Emotional Highs and Lows of Creation
The final moment of completion brings immense joy and deep introspection. She often spends hours gazing at her finished artwork from a distance, analyzing its impact. If the outcome meets her expectations, it fills her with boundless elation. However, if it falls short, disappointment lingers, making the creative journey both exhilarating and humbling.
A Canvas of Possibilities
Beyond Kerala murals, Kala is a versatile artist skilled in clay modeling, fabric painting, zari threadwork, pot painting, glass painting, and oil painting. Her artistry knows no boundaries, and she continues to explore and experiment with various mediums.
For Kala Prathap, painting is not just about technique – it is an extension of her soul, a language of emotions, and a reflection of her deepest thoughts. “A blank canvas holds infinite possibilities, and with each brushstroke, a world of imagination comes to life.”
Despite limited formal art education Kala joined an Art class in her final year degree where artist Hadapad encouraged her to pursue Art further at KEN School of Art. After her degree and B.Ed, Kala became an authorised Fevicryl teacher with Pidilite Industries. In 2000 she established Kala’s Art and Hobby classes teaching various art forms such as drawing painting and crafts.
Kala has actively participated in various competitions winning notable awards including winning I Prize in the Anokhi Kalakar contest at the all India-level, 2nd prize in another all-India contest conducted by Vanitha magazine. She is also a 5-time Kalarathnam Awardee from the Kalarathnam Foundation of Art Society.
(Mrs. Kala Prathap’s paintings were featured recently in the national Exhibition, The Haat of Art held at Jayamahal Hotel, Bengaluru inaugurated by the Governor of Karnataka. Interested can contact Smt. Kala Prathap at 98451 51195, ms.kalaprathap@rediffmail.com)
