Where myth and nature come alive on canvas-OxBig News Network

The ongoing exhibition ‘Divinely Feminine’ at Gallery Ekami, Kannur, invites visitors into a world where myth, memory, and nature come alive on canvas. It features the works of the late C.N. Karunakaran, an artist whose visual language blends Kerala’s mural tradition with a deeply personal style rooted in femininity and the grace of nature.

Known for his delicate lines and stylised figures, Karunakaran’s work stands out for its distinctive portrayal of the female form.

A student of the Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai, Karunakaran trained under renowned artists such as D.P. Roy Choudhury and K.C.S. Paniker. However, he soon moved beyond the framework of the Madras School, drawing inspiration from Kerala’s rich mural tradition. His paintings avoid realism, favouring flat compositions, vivid colours, and bold lines that reflect the traditional two-dimensional style.

“His work draws inspiration from the past, but he never imitates it,” said art critic P. Sudhakaran, a member of the curatorial team. “He reimagined tradition in a way that feels fresh and deeply personal. The women in his paintings are powerful yet gentle — part of nature, not apart from it. That close relationship between women and nature is what gives Karunakaran’s art its lyrical quality. His trees, flowers, and figures seem to grow from the same root, blending into one another with effortless rhythm,” Mr. Sudhakaran added.

The exhibition captures the essence of Karunakaran’s work. “We wanted people to see not just the paintings, but the world within them,” said Mahesh Ottachalil, the gallery’s managing partner. “Every line and colour carries emotion — an inner world shaped by reverence and imagination,” he added.

The exhibition will conclude on July 12.