Kakkanad: Prison cells have long been potential spaces of creativity for political leaders and literary figures. They have given birth to several literary masterpieces opening doors to freedom of expression. Even decades later the picture is more or less the same at the District Prison here that boasts of a handful of inmates who are more into art and literature.
The creative bend of 'criminals' blacklisted by judiciary and society gets a pat as they indulge in painting, art and music. One such example is remand prisoner Ajayan, whose painting exhibition was held at the prison.
Ajayan's works are byproducts of an isolated life trapped inside the four walls of the cell.
R Sreelekha, Director General of Prisons, who attended the event, purchased a painting of Ajayan. In return he gifted an oil painting of the woman IPS officer. Many visitors were impressed by the prisoner's artistic acumen and bought some of the works that were the end result of his incarcerated life. The exhibition was the fruition of a long-standing demand of Ajayan's fellowmates who were first to spot the creative acumen of the remand prisoner from Kollenchery.
It is not the first time an inmate of the jail is gifting his work of art to an elite guest. A prisoner here has presented an oil painting of Cardinal George Alencherry, the Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church, when the Cardinal visited the prison some time ago. Likewise, during the tenure of the previous state government another prisoner had gifted his painting to the then home minister.
