Chithrashradhanjali, a 16-foot painting is a memorial for Malayalam cinema’s 3000-odd actors and technicians
The Hindu
16-foot long memorial of 3,000-odd film technicians in Malayalam cinema, crafted with love and dedication by artist Javan Chacko.
A 16-foot long memorial of 3,000-odd film technicians, primarily actors, who have traversed the Malayalam film industry since the first Malayalam film, Vigathakumaran, in 1928, to the present, sounds like hyperbole which stretches the imagination. And then I see it at the Aluva home of former insurance employee-turned-artist Javan Chacko and his wife, Reena.
Resting on a few carved wood stands, a flickering lamp is placed in front of it as a mark of respect for the departed souls, the glass embossed work has hand-painted images and photographs of those who have passed away.
The wood-framed art work, crafted to resemble a film reel, is a stunning piece for the sheer amount of time (around 29,000 hours) which translates to 18-odd years.
The first place 67-year-old Javan takes me to is his studio/gallery to show me the photograph of his oldest brother, the late PC Kunjumon, who passed away in 1979. At the time of his death, he was working as a poster design artist in Chennai. Javan is the fourth brother and this work is Javan’s way of commemorating him. “Since he was a part of the film industry, I thought why not a memorial for all those who had gone before him and since!”
We see the work through Malayalam cinema’s first woman actor PK Rosie’s eyes, with two symbolic eyes painted alongside her portrait. There is JC Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema too.
The art work was christened ‘Chitrasradhanjali’ (homage by pictures for films) by actor Mohanlal in 2007 (on the set of Chotta Mumbai).
Using a technique reminiscent of glass painting and stained glass, Javan painted (referencing old photographs) some images. He has also pasted photographs sourced from the Malayalam film magazine, Nana.
