Artist Priti Vadakkath is bringing the beauty of Kerala’s nature to life. Her new paintings are part of an exhibit called Edam at the Garden Convention Centre in Mattancherry. This show is happening at the same time as the famous Kochi-Muziris Biennale and features work by many talented Kerala artists.
The Beauty of the Shola Grasslands
Priti’s artwork, titled Shola Grasslands, shows tall grass in bright, sparkling green colors. She uses acrylic paint on large canvases to show how the grass changes. In some pictures, the grass is a fresh lemon green. In others, it turns golden and brown as the seasons change.
Priti moved to Munnar four years ago to start a farmhouse. Since then, she has been fascinated by the patterns of the grass. She says, “Their changing colors and patterns and life cycle fascinate me.”
More Than Just a “Wasteland”
Many people think grasslands are just empty spaces, but Priti says they are very important for the Earth. She explains that while people talk a lot about planting trees, they often forget about the grass.
“Grassland, ignored as wasteland, is yet to get its due,” Priti says. She explains that these plants help the planet in many ways. They soak up moisture to stop the ground from drying out. They also hold the soil so it does not wash away. Grasslands provide homes for birds, insects, and other animals. Inside her paintings, you might even see a hidden snake, a bird, or a nest hiding among the blades.
A Lesson in Being Strong
Priti loves how tough grass can be. Even when the weather is bad, the grass stays strong and grows back quickly. To her, grass is a symbol of resilience, strength, and endurance.
“It survives even in harsh climes and regrows soon,” she says. She admires how all the plants and animals live together in harmony.
An Artist’s Tribute to Nature
Before painting grass, Priti used to paint people. She became interested in plants after seeing “air plants” in her garden. When she built her new house and farm in Idukki, she had to clear some of the wild grass away.
She calls this art series an “apology” to the land. It is her way of saying thank you to the amazing environment that keeps inspiring her every day.
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