Surendran Nair, recipient of the prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Award for 2022, is a distinguished artist whose exceptional contributions to the field of painting have garnered recognition from the Department of Culture. Born in 1956 in Onakkoor, Kerala, Nair’s artistic journey began as a college student, where he transitioned from a botany course to an art college, discovering a passion for drawing portraits.
Educated at the College of Arts, Trivandrum, and the University of Baroda, Nair’s early works reflect influences from Western art, notably Expressionism, with inspirations drawn from writers like Dostoevsky and artists such as Picasso and Lautrec. However, his artistic palette also embraces the rich culture of Kerala, incorporating elements from Kathakali, Theyyam, and Mattancherry murals.
The theatre becomes a central motif in Nair’s art, evident in his exploration of rituals, self-transformation, and the interplay between image and text. Words play a significant role, either as annotations to images or as titles, creating unexpected associations and meanings. Nair’s art is characterised by a nuanced engagement with issues of belonging, dissent, history, mythology, identity, and the complex interplay between tradition and modernity.
The Corollary Mythologies series, a hallmark of Nair’s recent work, delves into diverse themes with political undertones. Each piece, rendered sentimentally, cryptically, or metaphorically oblique, navigates the realms of history, language, sexuality, and faith. Nair’s paintings offer a multi-faceted perspective, often with a mischievous gaze, innocent humour, or poignant irony.
Throughout his career, Nair has faced challenges, notably in 2000 when his painting ‘An actor rehearsing the interior monologue of Icarus’ sparked controversy and was rejected for its perceived irreverence to a national symbol. Undeterred, Nair withdrew from the show as a form of protest.
Surendran Nair has exhibited extensively since 1986, showcasing his work in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. His pieces, marked by their intellectual depth and artistic finesse, adorn public and private collections in India and abroad. Currently residing and working in Baroda, Nair’s contributions to the world of art continue to captivate audiences and provoke thoughtful reflections on the complexities of human existence.
Feature Image Surendran Nair| Courtesy: Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2014
