Ajayakumar, Born in July 26th 1957, Kerala, India, Ajayakumar had his studies in creative painting from the faculty of Fine Arts, MS University of Baroda where he took post graduation (1978-1984). He joined the College of Fine Arts Kerala, Trivandrum as Lecturer in 1984 and has been heading the institution since 2001. Participated in various group shows in the country and abroad since 1983 Ajayakumar had his solo exhibitions at the contemporary Art Gallery Ahamedbad(1984) Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai, (1986and 1990). Art Heritage, New Delhi (1992 and 1993).
From 1986 to 89 he has been doing research in the ‘Visual aspects of the ritual and performing arts of Kerala’ which helped him to conceptualize his paintings to culturally specific areas. Though an incomplete project the research and documentation inspired him to assimilate the radial streams of tradition, society and multiple art practices of Kerala. His first mural executed in 1998 at Kerala Kalamandalam, with environmental materials could be a distinct experiment of vernacular architecture and mural in low relief by using ethnic materials like clay, laterate paste, Turmeric, paddy husk and coconut shell charcoal. In May 2006, Ajayakumar had completed a massive exterior mural painting at ‘Over the hill resorts’ designed by his architect friend TM Cyriac. A site specific installation called, ‘3 PM memories reconstructed’ is another project of 2005 at P.Krishnapillai memorial Alleppy.
From 1991 to 2000 Ajayakumar has been contributing illustrations to India Today (Malayalam) for short stories. And later the illustrations of the two novels of Sarah Joseph, which he considers as a collaborative work with the writer whose ideology and vision is intimate to him in many respects. As complete works of EMS Namboothiripad (100 Volumes) – a project in which celebrated Artist a Ramachandran as the Art director.
Occasionally writes in English and Malayalam on contemporary Art, Ajayakumar has also been associated with Shaji N.Karun, eminent film maker for his TV film on KG Subramaniyan called the ‘Moving focus’ and ‘Yathraykidatil’- a fiction. In 2001 he had scripted the 35 mm documentary film on KCS Paniker rhythm of colours directed by P.K. Sreenivasan.
The period of 1988-91 and 1996-2001, Ajayakumar served to the Kerala Lalit Kala Academy which marked the establishment of the Kerala Lalithakala Academy complex at Thrissur and the Durbarhall Art Centre Kochi. The National Art Camps and seminars of this period brought major contemporary Indian Artists and thinkers to Kerala.
Ajayakumar lives and works in Trivandrum, with his wife Sunanda and two children, Vishakan and Srilekshmi.
