A cross-disciplinary art engagement unfolded at Ka Corner, the space for all things art at the Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters (MBIFL) in Thiruvananthapuram. Six live artists -- including painters, digital artists, and pencil artists -- along with a calligraffiti artist, came together to create seven artworks inspired by the theme 'Kadal' (sea). The event was centred around the book ‘Samudrasila’ by Subhash Chandran, who was present to read an excerpt from his novel.

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One of the seven artworks inspired by the theme 'Kadal'
One of the seven artworks inspired by the theme 'Kadal' (sea)

The passage Chandran chose depicted a pivotal moment in the story: The protagonist, Amba, giving birth to her son, who she realises later on is autistic. The reading vividly narrated the raw intensity of childbirth, capturing the excruciating pain and intricate emotions of a woman bringing new life into the world. Following the reading, Chandran reflected on his journey in writing 'Samudrasila', revealing that he consciously adopted a female perspective for the novel. He noted that his debut work, ‘Manushyanu Oru Aamukham’, faced criticism for its overtly male-centric outlook, which prompted him to explore the female consciousness in his second book.

Expressing his surprise and appreciation, Chandran remarked that he had never envisioned seven artists interpreting his book through visual art. He recollects an event in the book where Amba, inspired by Frida Kahlo’s ‘Rivera and I’, which is published as an art piece in the physical book. Witnessing a collective visual reinterpretation of his narrative, Chandran described the experience as a full-circle moment.

The discussion also touched on the societal constraints placed on artists and writers. Chandran emphasised that moral policing would never dictate his creative choices, highlighting how 'Samudrasila' portrays Amba in a raw, unfiltered manner, challenging societal norms around the female body and expressions of femininity. The participating artists also expressed this sentiment of a woman’s unfiltered essence in their own creations.

Each artist brought a distinct perspective to their work. Girish Macreri explored the parallel between the creator and the created, drawing comparisons between Chandran and Vyasa, and 'Samudrasila' and the 'Mahabharata'. Artist Shilpa Khey delved into the distant yet intricate relationship between Amba and her son. 

Live Artist Gireeshkumar TV depicted Amba’s mundane routines -- caring for a neurotypical child and a bedridden mother. Alan Pappy visualised Amba as a 'shila' (rock), anchoring her son within an ocean of challenges. Uthamaraj K U presented a striking image that, he noted, might appear obscene to the uninformed but would resonate deeply with those familiar with the book. Joji rendered Amba’s pain and resilience in a monochrome charcoal and graphite piece, while Junvon’s calligraffiti encapsulated Amba’s wild spirit through expressive strokes.

Chandran observed that literature, being a visually mute art form, only reveals itself upon completion. However, he commended the artists for capturing the soul of Samudrasila through their interpretations. The evening concluded with poet Dr Geetha S Nair from the Trivandrum-based spoken word collective Uninked Poets reciting a poem she had composed during the session, which she later gifted to the author. Calligraphy maestro Narayana Bhattathiri also presented Chandran with a piece featuring the word Samudrasila in Malayalam.

The session epitomised the spirit of MBIFL, where diverse art forms -- traditional and digital, visual and literary, subtle and loud -- intersected seamlessly. Similar discussions will continue every evening at Ka Corner, each featuring a book published by Mathrubhumi Books. The artworks created during the session are available for viewing and purchase at the Mathrubhumi Books stall at Kanakakkunnu Palace.