Kerala artist dedicates Navaratri bommakkolu to Gaza's children, gives a poignant twist

The plight of children in Palestine's war-torn Gaza has been weighing heavily on hearts across the world. While people are doing their part for the Palestinian people in myriad ways, by participating in protests, boycotting products, and more, an artist in Kerala's Thrissur has decided to do her part too. Artist Niranjana Palavaka has set up a Gaza-inspired bommakkolu installation at her studio this year. Titled 'Ink,' it tries to depict how the children of Palestine are affected by the war, yet brims with resilience and all things childhood. 

"I deeply wish to visit Gaza and do something for the people there," says Niranjana, who is also a painter and animator. The bommakkolu set up in the attic of her studio-home features toys and miniature furniture, utensils and daily-life objects, in front of a rubble, that represents Gaza's present state. Why is the installation named 'Ink?' "It's the first food that children taste after they are born. When written in English, it also means the ink we use to write. I feel that at the time of vidyarambham, the word lends meanings manifold to a children-inspired installation like this," explains Niranjana. It is staged in the attic, remembering Anne Frank, the little girl whose heartrending diary from her days of hiding during World War II moved the world, says Niranjana. "The light filtering in through the 'chillodu' (roofing tile made of glass) in the attic merges with the candles lit amid the bommakolu to reflect the dimmed existence of the children," Niranjana explains. 

The miniatures on display here are mostly toys from her own home, used by generations of her family members. "The little furniture, figurines and more were those used by my mom or grandmom during their childhood. My studio-home is around 120 years old," Niranjana says. Interestingly, upon observing her bommakolu, Niranjana's students proposed another idea - placing paper boats in front of the display. "The boats represent our hope for the children to escape from their hardships. Even those who aren't able to visit the bommakkolu are now calling me to check whether I can keep a paper boat on their behalf, for the children," Niranjana reveals. 

The expo is on till October 2, Thursday. To visit the bommakkolu, head to Palavaka Studio in Thrissur, near Chembukavu. Take the Museum Road near the Thrissur Zoo, head to 'Pension Moola' Junction and take a left to reach the studio.