Within the realm of art, there exist individuals whose artistic creations surpass traditional limits and serve as evidence of a lasting influence. One such artist is Kalamandalam Bindhulekha, whose mural painting journey skillfully weaves her own interpretations within the rich tapestry of history. Her canvases are nothing short of captivating as they take viewers to a place where the past and present collide.
At the heart of Bindhulekha’s artistic world is a woman, gracefully splayed across a bed of lily leaves, her presence seemingly weightless yet utterly captivating. She reappears in a variety of shapes, from dreamy-winged dragonflies to fish swimming elegantly beneath the surface of the river. The tranquil beauty of the women in Bindhulekha’s murals is evident in their half-closed long lotus eyes and their almost undetectable smiles formed by curving lips. Without jewellery, they show who they really are on the inside, going beyond appearances. According to Bindhulekha, “I gave it female form only because I am a woman; here it is not the form, but the inner self that is laid bare.”
When Bindhulekha was a student at Kerala Kalamandalam, her artistic adventure got underway. Her love of painting remained unwavering despite her intense training in traditional dance styles like Mohiniyattam and Bharatanatyam. She bravely decided to immerse herself in the complex field of mural painting after earning her dancing diploma in 1998. It was a leap that signalled the start of a close relationship with tradition.
One of her first experiences was painting a 50-square-foot mural by herself in the Vadakurumba Bhadrakali temple in the Thrissur region. It was an enormous task. Her unshakable dedication to upholding the sacredness of mural art is demonstrated by the rigorous devotion to tradition required for this endeavour. Encouraged by the positive feedback she received from the temple, Bindhulekha decided to devote all of her efforts to painting murals. Her commitment to the art was so great that she abandoned dancing, which she had previously studied seldom as a teacher’s assistant. She was completely absorbed by the arduous nature of mural painting, where some pieces might take up to three months to complete.
The creative repertory of Bindhulekha is diverse, ranging from strictly traditional pieces to more avant-garde productions. At first, she didn’t try to modernise her work; instead, she let it develop organically. The outcome is her collection “The Voyage of Dreams,” which keeps tradition at its heart while still valuing innovation. Although a lot of her works are influenced by the ‘natyakaranas,’ or fundamentals of dance, she ultimately made the decision to go beyond mythology and written scriptures. Her more recent pieces are created in acrylic on canvas, which made it difficult to replicate the true colours of a mural in a different media. This change demonstrates the breadth of her creative abilities as well as her capacity to change while maintaining the spirit of her work.
Some of Bindhulekha’s creations, which feature imposing paintings of deities like the Goddess and Lord Krishna, fully adhere to the traditional aesthetic. Her artwork demonstrates a strong connection to the origins of the mural tradition since it vividly depicts the lively interactions between deities and their companions. Even though Bindhulekha is aware of the mural art’s increasing commercialization and popularity, she is unwavering in her devotion to its sacred essence. She emphasises her belief in the purity of the art form by expressing her unhappiness with the trend of murals being employed on commonplace goods like saris and dupattas. She views mural painting as a spiritual and religious art form that should be revered.
Apart from her commitment to painting traditional murals, Bindhulekha has expanded her artistic endeavours to include a distinct exhibition named ‘Insects.’ She connects people and these amazing creatures, who share a large amount of their DNA with us, by compassionately and peacefully capturing the smallest inhabitants of our world in this show.
Visionary artist Kalamandalam Bindhulekha personifies the fine line between tradition and innovation. Her remarkable journey as an artist is demonstrated by her commitment to upholding the sacredness of the mural tradition, her deep connection to her work, and her ability to take inspiration from her surroundings. Her paintings capture not only her technical skill but also her most intimate feelings, making her a special and beloved character in the art world. Her display is a beautiful demonstration of her infinite ingenuity and profound appreciation for the natural world.
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