A week-long art and photography exhibition titled ‘Kondal: Arts from the seaside’, which was inaugurated on 9 June at Lalit Kala Akademi, came to a close on Monday (June 15, 2026). The exhibition showcased a diverse collection of visual works dedicated to coastal life and the landscapes of the seaside communities in Tamil Nadu. 

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Chennai South MP Thamizachi Thangapandian, writer V. Geetha, filmmaker R.R. Srinivasan, and artist S. Venkatesan.

The exhibition, organised by Anthoni Guruz, Palanikumar, R. Niranjana, and A. Bhagath Singh, featured about 60 artworks, providing a dedicated platform showcasing coastal cultures and maritime themes. 

The showcase was the outcome of a landscape camp conducted in the fishing villages of Kadapakkam along the East Coast Road and Veerapattinam near Puducherry. Around 20-25 fine arts students from Chennai, Kumbakonam, and Puducherry, accompanied by their professors and senior artists, participated in the camp. A total of 10 artists and 25 students engaged with fishing communities to understand their daily lives, occupations, traditions, and social structures.

Rather than focusing on the sea as a visual subject, the artists aimed to portray the essence of coastal life through the experiences of the fisherfolk. According to Mr. Guruz, the central idea was to represent the sea without directly depicting it. The artworks instead explored the lives, labour, and cultural practices of fishing communities, allowing viewers to understand their connection to the sea through human stories.

The artworks were an exploration into the lives and experiences of fishermen in Tamil Nadu, said final-year students Kalpana Sri and Abarna. “The colours used in the artworks also reflect their emotions, which we were able to understand better, as we spent time interacting with them in their environment,” they added.

Women’s role

The works also focused on the role and contribution of women in these communities, highlighting how women navigate social expectations and community regulations, while also contributing to the family income. The artists also examined the diversity in the fishing communities, shedding light on different occupational and social groups. 

In addition to paintings, the exhibition displayed photographs documenting everyday coastal life. The images captured activities such as fish drying, fish processing, cooking practices, and community-specific fishing methods.  

The exhibition also featured ‘Neidhal Kaimanam’, a book published two years ago that documents life in the coastal regions.