Raja Ravi Varma Awards: C Douglas and NN Rimzon Honoured
Kerala government announces C Douglas and NN Rimzon as recipients of the prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Awards for 2023 and 2024.
The Kerala government has officially announced the winners of the prestigious Raja Ravi Varma Awards for the years 2023 and 2024. In a press conference held on Tuesday, Tourism, Culture, and Cinema Minister PC Vishnunath revealed that contemporary artist C Douglas and sculptor NN Rimzon have been selected for this high honour, which stands as the state's most distinguished recognition in the field of visual arts.
The announcement was made in the presence of Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Chairman Prof S Prakash Murthy and Secretary Vaikom MK Shibu. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh, a formal citation, and a sculpture crafted by the renowned artist Kanayi Kunhiraman.
C Douglas: A Vision of Humanism (2023 Award)
For the 2023 cycle, the jury selected C Douglas, a prominent figure in the Indian art scene born in Thalassery in 1951. Associated with the influential Madras Art Movement, Douglas was chosen for his universal humanist perspective and a style that breaks through regional boundaries.
The jury, chaired by senior artist P Gopinath and including members R Shanthamani, Dr CS Jayaram, TV Santhosh, and member secretary Raji R Pillai, praised Douglas for his experimental journey in contemporary Indian painting. His work is characterized by:
- Unique Mediums: Use of chalk, charcoal, and crayon on rolled paper.
- Thematic Depth: Exploration of human vulnerability through semi-abstract compositions.
- Artistic Blend: A combination of figurative metaphors, rhythms, and patterns to evoke deep emotion.
Douglas's academic and professional pedigree is extensive. After studying at the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Madras, he spent time at the Cholamandal Artists’ Village. His accolades include the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi (1992), multiple Central Government cultural fellowships, and a 1994 Charles Wallace Grant to study ceramics in the Netherlands.
NN Rimzon: Redefining Sculpture (2024 Award)
The 2024 award has been conferred upon NN Rimzon, a sculptor born in Kakkoor, Ernakulam, in 1957. The jury for this year, chaired by senior artist Pushpamala N and featuring R Nandakumar, Surendran Nair, and Raji R Pillai, highlighted Rimzon's profound influence on multiple generations of artists.
Rimzon is celebrated for his conceptual approach, where he blends traditional Indian sculptural elements with the concept of "home" to critique modern social and political landscapes. His artistic practice is marked by:
- Material Diversity: Expert use of metal, stone, and fibreglass.
- Multidisciplinary Range: While primarily a sculptor, his installations, paintings, and recent drawings have garnered significant acclaim.
- Minimalist Influence: A style informed by both minimalism and conceptual art.
Rimzon's educational journey took him from the College of Fine Arts in Thiruvananthapuram (BFA, 1982) to MS University, Baroda (MFA, 1984), and finally to the Royal College of Art in London (MA, 1989). Beyond his studio work, he contributed to the academic community as a teacher and later as the principal of the College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, from 2011 to 2014.
The Legacy of the Award
The Raja Ravi Varma Award was established by the Kerala government to pay tribute to the legendary Raja Ravi Varma, whose work fundamentally shaped the Indian imagination of art. By honoring artists like C Douglas and NN Rimzon, the state continues to celebrate the evolution of visual arts from classical traditions to contemporary expressions.