Folklore Kerala - I 

Curator: Welcome. We are looking at "Folklore Kerala - I," a painting by M.F. Husain, known for his modernist and somewhat folk-inspired approach. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the vivid colour palette—so bright, with bold, unmodulated swathes of paint creating flat planes. The composition feels almost graphic in its simplicity. Curator: Indeed. It reminds one of the rich cultural tapestry of Kerala, where elements of folk art, performance, and ritual intermingle. Husain often drew inspiration from the local narratives and mythologies of India. Notice the array of brightly hued elephants dominating the scene. They serve as symbols. Editor: Their simplified, almost cartoonish forms contribute to the artwork's naivete, but are there signs of abstraction as well? I think that is fascinating! They are also varied, though linked in a rhythm across the picture plane. The solitary figure in the boat seems like an anchor for these beasts. Curator: Yes. I read the figure on the boat as an essential piece of the social fabric—perhaps a reference to local fisherman navigating the waterways or local legends that tell the story of Kerala. Husain had deep ties to the Indian Progressive Artists' Group, who often challenged colonial art's impact on national identity and sought to depict modern India through the lives and work of ordinary people. Editor: It also is rather flattening of perspective. Curator: Absolutely. The work engages with the postcolonial moment, attempting to capture, archive and reflect the spirit and culture of the region through both recognizable and distorted figures. Editor: Now seeing more and reflecting, it appears a blend of surface and symbol, as well as meaning making—where tradition finds abstraction. Curator: So in reflecting, while our perspectives differ, ultimately the piece makes a cultural contribution!