Raja Ravi Varma awards for C. Douglas, N.N. Rimzon

The Raja Ravi Varma Award, the highest honour bestowed by the State government in the field of visual arts, was announced by Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Cinema Minister P.C. Vishnunadh here on Tuesday. C. Douglas, a prominent figure in the modern art movement, has been selected for the 2023 award, while renowned sculptor and artist N.N. Rimzon has been chosen for the 2024 award. The award carries a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, a citation and a sculpture designed by Kanayi Kunhiraman.

Raja Ravi Varma, an illustrious artist who made unparalleled contributions to Indian art, particularly painting, is synonymous with art in the Indian consciousness. It is for this reason that the State government’s highest honour in visual arts is named after him, the minister said. Douglas, a prominent Indian artist associated with the Madras Art Movement, was selected by a jury headed by senior artist P. Gopinath. The jury also comprised members R. Santhamani, Dr C.S. Jayaram, T.V. Santhosh and Member Secretary Raji R. Pillai, who served as the Academy Secretary in-charge.

The jury noted that Douglas’s artistic practice in contemporary Indian painting has been both long-standing and experimental. It also observed that he has embraced a universal and humanistic perspective and style that transcends local and regional boundaries.

A jury chaired by senior artist Pushpamala N. and comprising R. Nandakumar, Surendran Nair and Raji R. Pillai selected N.N. Rimzon for the 2024 Raja Ravi Varma Award. The jury observed that Rimzon, whose career spans several decades since the 1980s, has showcased a diverse body of work at major exhibitions in India and abroad, making significant contributions to sculpture and contemporary art. It also noted that he has greatly influenced artists across generations. Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Chairman Prof. S. Prakash Moorthy and Secretary Vaikom M.K. Shibu were present at the press conference.