Oman-based painter wins prestigious award

An Oman-based painter from Kerala, Prakashan Puthur, has won the prestigious Oman Fine Arts Society award for a stunning series of paintings inspired by the Sultanate.
Puthur, a freelance artist from Kerala, produced the stunning “Cadence” paintings to reflect Oman’s traditional music and culture.
Speaking to the Times of Oman, Puthur said, “Here, I tried to portray the rhythm of a nation’s culture and the role of music in it. I tried to reflect on the rhythm of traditional Omani life and culture. The people of Oman enhance and uphold their traditions even in the post-modern era of today. Traditional music is a part of their life. I got a chance to experience it once and tried to express it in my paintings.”
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“Artworks first evolve in the mind of an artist, as was the case with Cadence I and 2. Here, the light and shadows I used in the paintings become a rhythm. As a result, the symphony of music and Omani life are expressed through my colours.”
Puthur’s portfolio of work in the Sultanate showcases his deep love and appreciation for the country, and his eye for detail in capturing some of the most important aspects of Omani culture and civilisation.
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“Oman is a land where artists are valued and respected by all sectors of the society. Art and culture is a part of Omani history itself. I was so excited to understand how the people of Oman uphold their traditions and their history.”
The roots of Puthur’s success can be traced back to Kerala. There, after graduating from the Kerala School of Arts in Thallassery, he gained acclaim for his solo exhibitions, which let his art flourish. His work was eventually showcased across Southern India and the Middle East.
“My primary motivation is my mother Lakshmi,” he said. “My two older brothers Janardhanan and Rajan are also artists. They had a heavy influence on me during my childhood. I started painting during my school days. It is my way of expressing myself.” Watercolours, he added, are his favourite medium.
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Today, in the Sultanate, he has gained another muse. “Oman gave me space to evolve into a better artist. I travelled to most of the Sultanate with my family.”
His efforts to learn more about Oman’s heritage have taken him across the country, giving him a unique perspective on the landscapes, mountains, and beauty that have charmed artists of all kinds. That, for Oman, shines through his work, with every figure and natural wonder captured a tribute to his adopted country.
“The landscape of Oman is very different from other Middle Eastern countries. Oman has an aesthetic charm, which offers an artist like me greater scope to create even better works of art. The more I understand Oman, the greater my inspiration to create new paintings.”