Chennai's Return to Nature

They are travelling together amidst forests searching for traces of the prehistoric life; they are not research scholars; it's more because of their love for Nature. They stay back in the woods days and nights together like aboriginal people. The oldest fine arts college in the country, 150-year old Govt. College of Fine Arts - Chennai - is their second home. They had come together for an exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai last week. The exhibition, aptly titled "Serene Perceptions", helped Chennaiites understand the necessity of returing to Nature for solace and saving our next generation. T.Athiveerapandian's series "Towards Nature" tried to recreate Nature's myriad colours in bigger (8 feet x 6 feet) as well as smaller canvases. "My works of art may help the viewer relate to her ecology" says Athiveerapandian. P.Manivannan's works are inspired by the hilly terrain he frequents in search of rock art sites. His black and white works explore his own mindscape. His acrylic works try to create a conversation between his self and Nature. K.Natarajan's exemplary sculptures revolve around Nature and our age-old aesthetic traditions. His oil works explore his relationship with environment and stand out from the rest with an unique style. K.T.Gandhirajan's rock art photographs give us a glimpse of the aesthetic traditions of prehistoric humans who wandered in the western ghats of Tamil Nadu. This show took me close to Nature giving ideas for my next itinerary.

Berijam Lake - Synonym of Serenity

It's 35 kms from Kodaikanal en route Cochin on the hills. As you travel deep into the pine woods towards Berijam Lake you are reminded of poet Bharathiar's famous lines "Eththanai Kodi Inbam vaiththai iraiva" (oh God, how many pleasures you have created). White Roses of the forest and mountain streams welcome you into that 3km-long lake. I went there during May 2007 and spent hours together enjoying the indescribable beauty of Nature.