Biennale touches life at deeper levels through visual engagement: Writer Santhosh Echikkanam
Kochi / March 18, 2026
Kochi, Mar 18: Acclaimed Malayalam writer Santhosh Echikkanam, who visited the Kochi- Muziris Biennale (KMB), described the event as an experience that continues to offer a deep visual engagement with life through diverse artistic expressions.
Sharing his reflections on the exhibition, Echikkanam, who is also a screenwriter in Malayalam cinema, said although he arrived later this year, the exhibition once again provides an opportunity to experience art that touches life at deeper levels.
He reflected on works that draw inspiration from lived experiences, including those emerging from the pandemic period.
Referring to the installation Alaq (2025) by artist Pallavi Paul, he highlighted how experiences from the COVID period and encounters with people connected to cremation grounds are transformed into a powerful visual experience.
Echikkanam observed that history is often something that has already passed, and people reconnect with it through memories and recollections. According to him, such installations make it possible to experience these layers of memory and remembrance in different ways.
He also referred to a large painting by his close friend, artist R.B Shajith, displayed at the Biennale. Having seen Shajith’s paintings earlier, he said the artist captures the subtle aspects of nature, creating an experience that goes beyond realism.
Echikkanam described the Biennale as a meaningful experience that continues to resonate with visitors, much like in previous editions.
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