Jan Mitra Nyas Award (PVCHR) 2024: Mr. Suresh K. Nair

The Jan Mitra Nyas (PVCHR) Award, presented in Varanasi, recognizes individuals and organizations for their contributions to social justice and human rights, especially for marginalized communities. Established by the Jan Mitra Nyas, an organization founded in 1999, the award highlights efforts toward improving the rights of Dalits, Adivasis (indigenous people), women, and other vulnerable groups in India. The organization itself, inspired by social reformers like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi, works to combat issues such as extrajudicial violence, police misconduct, and caste-based injustices.

Through legal advocacy, psycho-social support, and community-based initiatives, Jan Mitra Nyas addresses human rights violations and strives to empower affected communities. The award is part of a broader mission to establish a society based on equality and justice, with initiatives such as testimonial therapy, health camps, and livelihood projects for survivors of violence. This initiative has gained national and international recognition, contributing to wider awareness and support for grassroots human rights activism.

For more information, you can visit Jan Mitra Nyas’s official site or resources on their achievements and mission. https://janmitranyas.in/ and https://pvchr.asia/

This certificate is awarded to Mr. Suresh K. Nair in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the world of art and culture, and his unwavering commitment to fostering peace and social harmony through his artistic endeavors. His visionary public art project, “Wall of Peace,”has been instrumental in promoting the values of unity and coexistence, reflecting the profound impact of art on society. With a career rooted in tradition and enriched by international influences, Mr. Nair’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of contemporary art is truly commendable. His work stands as an inspiration to artists and peace advocates around the world. Helma Ritscher, Chairwoman of the Indo-German Society of Remscheid, Germany presented ths prestigious award to the Mr. Nair. The event was graced by Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi, Founder and Convenor of PVCHR; Prof. Chawky Frenn, Associate Professor at George Mason University and Fulbright Scholar at Banaras Hindu University, Smt. Shruti Nagvanshi, Shri. Direndra Sisodia, Shri. Amit Kumar founder of Mehta Art Gallery and other eminent dignitaries at Mehta Art Gallery, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Brief about, Mr. Suresh K. Nair is a contemporary Indian artist from Kerala, renowned for his murals and fine art that merge traditional Indian styles with modern techniques. He is recognized for his expertise in mural art, which is deeply rooted in Kerala’s classical painting traditions, but his work often carries a unique, contemporary expression. Nair’s art frequently reflects themes of Indian mythology, spirituality, and social issues, showcasing a blend of vibrant colors, detailed patterns, and a strong narrative style.

He studied at Institute of Mural Painting, Guruvayur and Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, and his murals have gained widespread appreciation, not only in India but also internationally, as he has contributed to various public art projects, exhibitions, and workshops worldwide.

Nair’s contributions to mural art have helped revitalize and modernize this ancient art form, while he remains dedicated to preserving Kerala’s rich artistic heritage. His work often explores complex themes with sensitivity, and he is celebrated for creating art that bridges cultural tradition and modern thought.

The “Wall of Peace” by Suresh K. Nair is a remarkable mural installation that he created at the Government Vocational Higher Secondary School in Cherpulassery, Kerala. Completed in 2013, this mural is one of his most ambitious projects and serves as a powerful visual representation of harmony, tolerance, and unity. Spanning around 1,200 square feet, it combines traditional Indian mural techniques with modern themes, depicting figures and symbols that reflect values of peace and coexistence.

The mural showcases diverse cultural and religious symbols, blending together images of saints, spiritual figures, nature, and mythological elements. Nair designed the mural to be a source of inspiration for students and the community, reinforcing values of non-violence and compassion. It includes imagery like the Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and other icons of peace, alongside intricate, nature-inspired motifs.

Through the “Wall of Peace,” Nair emphasizes the importance of art in educational spaces as a way to inspire young minds and promote positive values. This mural has become an iconic piece, admired both for its artistic merit and its message, and it represents Nair’s commitment to using art as a means of social and moral engagement. The “Wall of Peace” is not only a work of beauty but also a testament to Kerala’s rich mural tradition, reinvented to address modern social ideals. To know more: https://wallofpeace.in/

The Essence of Life: Art

By: Amit Kumar

It gives meaning to your life and you will never be alone if you are an artist.

Art gives an inner peace of mind.  From art you can search yourself and you can tell your life story, your thoughts, your vision through colors on canvas let everyday people find themselves by seeing the art.

In this frenetic world, people are forgetting about themselves and too many are running, often blindly, to earn a livelihood, earn money.  Emotionally and tragically physically people kill and hate one another to chase after money.  Art, alone, has the power to save our virtues.  People must increase their awareness regarding art and explore and read the art and the visions of artists.  Artists always create works which relate to society and culture en masse.  It depends on individual thought as to what was actually visualized. Art serves as communication for the improvement of social relationships through greater understanding of human experience. Art is society’s greatest cultural university that is open to all.

The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls. –Pablo Picasso

Art is not just colors or thoughtless decoration.  It is the feelings and emotions of artists who created works drawn from their souls with intentional meaning.  After a work is completed, its interpretation is out of the artists’ hands literally.  The viewing public can then see and gain insights by seeing their own lives in it and find solutions as well.

“Light and shadow, color and form, texture and intensity, representation and expression; these are the ways that art speaks to us”.

Ascetics is just one of the principles of art.  Yet, what is pleasing to one person is not the same to another.  Works by Hieronymus Bosch appear as if Salvador Dali was having a terrible day.  Yet, both artist’s styles invite discussion, and provocation.  To me this is the essential principle of art: provoke thought!

Putting brush in paint to canvas or whatever preferred medium is not the only art.  There are many works of art that appear naturally: a rose, a waterfall, a magnificent mountainscape, an archway created by wind, rain and erosion, to mention but a few.  In all its various glories, visual art is a feast for the eyes and soul.  This is when the artist and the viewer are closest to each other.  One having produced a work from the mind, the other determining its merits in theirs: a dialog of the minds.

Despite the perception that the skills to create art are innate – we are born with it – the practice, failures, learning from failure, the successes are all integrated due to the diligence of the artist.  Trial and error is not innate, it’s takes many hours, years of study and practice.  To aid in the dialog of the minds is creativity.  The unspoken bond between artist and audience.  The greater appreciation of art can be reinforced with education by the audience, but it is not essential.  A higher level of education can help a viewer or critic articulate the merits or demerits of a work.  But, the perception of beauty is not solely driven by education.  In the end, it’s still a “gut feeling” regardless of how much or little schooling by the viewer.

An emotional transformation “takes over” the consciousness of an artist when working.  Pulling on many emotional, mental and visceral threads, we go to that special place in our minds/souls to create art.  Intentional or not, somewhat trance-like, there is a powerful meditative level that artists reach to produce our works.

The greatest service of art is the betterment of humanity by its astonishing power to communicate, to unite, to divide, however always stimulating communication.  Which is quite amazing seeing as pictures do not talk or do they?