In an era of rising fascism and religious extremism, Ponniam Chandran’s painting ‘Against Fascism’ offers a response. The painting depicts the shattered dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, and Michilotte Madhavan, who sacrificed their lives for a free and prosperous nation. Mr. Chandran said that during the Nazi concentration camp era from 1933 to 1945, among those killed was Michilotte Madhavan, a Malayali. In the final segment, the painting uses the swastika, historically a symbol of good fortune, to illustrate the emergence of new tridents. Composed in a semi-abstract style, the painting was completed over 79 days, conveying a powerful message against the horrors of fascism and extremism.

Source: The Hindu July 31, 2024 05:31 UTC