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From Valmiki writing the epic and King Janaka’s yaga to Rama’s crowning, almost all major episodes are painted in reverse on the ochre banana leaf. He used black and brown acrylic on the dried leaf to a surprising effect.
From Valmiki writing the epic and King Janaka’s yaga to Rama’s crowning, almost all major episodes are painted in reverse on the ochre banana leaf. He used black and brown acrylic on the dried leaf to a surprising effect.
Rajendran Vadakkepadath, an artist who works on banana leaves, has won many an international accolade for portraying the Ramayana on a 6×2.5 ft leaf. Least was he bothered about records when he ventured on depicting the Ramayana on a dried banana leaf in 2021. But within months, recognitions came calling him one after the other.
It was the India Book of Records at first, followed by the Asia Book of Records, some other organisations from Britain have now approached him with laurels. He recently won the Ahalia Award for excelling in leaf art. But Mr. Rajendran has been unenthused.
“Art should be to promote humanity, and not to carve echelons of personal success,” he said pointing to the unique Ramayana donning his wall. The Asia Book of Records recognised his Ramayana as a unique leaf art work done in 10 hours and 45 minutes.
His Ramayana, a six-foot long treated banana leaf, stands testimony not only to his artistic skill but also to his attitude to the epic. No version of the Ramayana screenplay that captures the fancies of the new generation has captivated him. Rather he stuck to a tribal style to tell the epic story.
“My intention has been to mark the epic through this exclusive medium of art, and not to create any veneration for the epic or its characters,” he said.
From Valmiki writing the epic and King Janaka’s yaga to Rama’s crowning, almost all major episodes are painted in reverse on the ochre banana leaf. He used black and brown acrylic on the dried leaf to a surprising effect.
Although he is records-shy, Mr. Rajendran claims that none in the world has recreated such an epic on a leaf. “I could capture an epic on a banana leaf,” he beamed.
Hailing from Chittur in Palakkad, he has carved a unique niche for himself in the world of leaf painting. He claims none else in the world currently dabbles in banana leaf painting. Banana leaf as canvas, according to him, is too difficult to work on.
It took about eight years of trial and error for him to master the art of leaf painting. “The biggest challenge with banana leaves is that outlining images with a pencil is not possible, as they will break,” he said.
He is now shifting his focus to various other leaves, including bamboo leaves.
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