It has been 28 days since a group of students at RLV college, Thrippoonithura, started a protest against the indifference of the authorities. Thought-evoking paintings, dissent graffiti, portraits of actors and even rape victims adorn the walls near a temporary tent in front of RLV Arts College. This is Thrippoonithura's new evening hangout destination where people listen to some music, browse through exhibited artwork, and buy some occasionally.
No, it isn't an art fair or a flea exhibition but the venue of an indefinite protest and hunger strike by the students of the fine arts department of the college. It has been 28 days since a group of students started a protest against the indifference of the authorities. Students take turns to go on hunger strike every day. They gather at the tent, play musical instruments, sing together and create works of art of their choice.
Students gather at the tent, play musical instruments, sing together and create works of art of their choice. With more than 13 departments dealing with performing and fine arts subjects, the college is among the few in Kerala doing so. Unfortunately, the government institution has only two lecturers to instruct the around 200 students in the fine arts department. “Theory subjects like art history cannot be grasped on our own, Amal, a final-year BFA student told Onmanorama, “Guest lecturers come and go. The department is left with just two teachers, one of them posted temporarily, to teach students specializing in painting, applied art and sculpture. We lag behind in performance and grades when compared to the other fine arts colleges. We lack a good library, quality study materials and expert guidance."
This is Thrippoonithura's new evening hangout destination where people listen to some music, browse through exhibited artwork, and buy some occasionally. The college also has not updated its curriculum as per the new syllabus published by MG University in 2009. Kunjumon, the superintendent of the institution, says that it is the head of department who should discuss with other teaching members and forward the proposal to update the curriculum to the education department. “We are really helpless. We understand the plight of the students but we cannot appoint teaching staff unless the department allows teaching posts. This is an issue which needs a political decision. Now the students are protesting on streets. We hope the authorities respond positively to their stir,” Kunjumon said.
Thought-evoking paintings, dissent graffiti, portraits of actors and even rape victims adorn the walls near a temporary tent in front of RLV Arts College.Perhaps, the strike missed out on media glare because the institution and the students are on the same page regarding the issues faced. Also, the protesters have not been obstructing academic or official activities as part of their strike. “Our protest is one that seeks a better academic environment. So, we would not be offensive in our mode of protest. We do the creative and practical modules of the curriculum at the strike location. We also sell our artworks and announce that we are worth a better education,” Rithun, another final-year BFA student, said.
It isn't an art fair or a flea exhibition but the venue of an indefinite protest and hunger strike by the students of the fine arts department of the college. Technical versus 'non-specific'
Another issue raised by the students is regarding the education department's proposal to shift fine arts departments from arts to technical education stream. Authorities believe that a shift of stream would solve the dearth of instructors and facilities. “There are two issues in this,” says Amaldev, a protester. “One, fine arts is not a definite, technical stream of studies. It is artistic and obscure. Shifting it to the technical education stream will destroy its ingenuity and change the approach towards fine arts subjects. You can't ask a sculptor to craft an artwork exactly like the instructor does. Two, RLV college doesn't have a technical education wing. Shifting fine arts department means shifting the whole faculty and students to another institution. RLV college is an unique art space much like Shanti Niketan. We wish to maintain its uniqueness,” he said.
The protesters have not been obstructing academic or official activities as part of their strike.The 'creative protest' is also not led by any politically inclined students' associations.
Protest corner
The protest spot is named after the eight-year-old Kathua girl who was brutally gang-raped and killed in Kashmir. Students specializing in painting have prepared huge portraits of the girl; of Vinayakan, the dalit youth who ended his life after police manhandled him in custody for his hairstyle; and of many others who were victims of the country's flawed systems.
Perhaps, the strike missed out on media glare because the institution and the students are on the same page regarding the issues faced. Students say all the awakenings the world has seen so far have the same spirit, same voice and same demand which is justice. “We are in solidarity with all the victims of this flawed system. We shall fight until the government resolves our issues, by appointing enough number of teachers, introducing quality learning facilities and withdrawing their proposal to divide the institution,” protesters say.
This is Thrippoonithura's new evening hangout destination where people listen to some music, browse through exhibited artwork, and buy some occasionally. RLV arts college has around 600 students enrolled in across several departments like dance, music, kathakali, painting, applied art and sculpture. The fine arts department which covers painting, sculpture, and applied art is headed by professor Antony PK who is assisted by just one guest lecturer.
