Ka Corner at MBIFL is a space dedicated to creating art and encouraging a positive culture around it. This year, it is also a convergence point of art and literary thematics, curated to spark conversations and connections among seasoned artists and attendees. By integrating the nuanced literary landscape of MBIFL into various art forms and styles, it prompts a more meaningfully layered experience of the festival, allowing for a deeper engagement with the subjects and thematics being explored.
Ka Corner offers a visually and emotionally stimulating experience, featuring real talk about art, live paintings, and opportunities for attendees to create, collaborate, and learn. All four days are guided by a unique daily theme—kara (land), kaadu (forest), kadal (sea), and kaalavastha (weather)—around which all activities at the space are curated. This provides an expansive yet intimate space for connection, creativity, and inspired learning.
THEME: KARA (Land)
This day celebrates the narratives tied to the land—be it nations, regions, or physical terrains. It is about honoring the deep connection between people and the soil beneath their feet. Through these stories expressed with art, we acknowledge the cultural, historical, and emotional ties to various landscapes.
Cartoon Lab is an interactive activity where cartoonists will engage the public gathered into the process of developing a cartoon and narratives. Each cartoon will creatively encompass the Ka Corner theme for the day, adding a more meaningful layer to the festival experience.
Artists:
- Unnikrishnan K
- Anoop Radhakrishnan
- K V M Unni
Live Art offers attendees the chance to witness experienced and renowned artists create a painting from scratch. This painting will be aligned with the Ka Corner theme for the day and the chosen title published by Mathrubhumi books, to a specific scenario in it. The process is silent observation combined with reading of the said part by fellow authors or respective authors. Artists in the crowd are also welcome to be a part of this visually and emotionally stimulating experience by painting their own miniature interpretations of the theme.
Artists:
- Gireeshkumar TV (Painting)
- Girish Macreri (Painting)
- JOJI (Charcoal & Graphite Pencil Art)
- Uthamaraj K U (Painting)
- Alan Pappy (Digital Art)
- Aishwarya Suresh (Weaving)
Book of The Day:
Paavangal (Victor Hugo, Translated by Nalapat Narayana Menon)
During the festival days, 2 caricature artists will be stationed at the speaker lounge with their own stations, where invited speakers can interact with them and get their caricatures drawn. This adds a thoughtful touch to the speaker’s experience of the festival, and will give them something to remember their time here by. These paintings can be live printed and handed out and also can be displayed at Ka Corner for public viewing
Artists:
- Sajjive Balakrishnan
Calligraphy artists at Ka Corner will create personalised MBIFL-themed calligraphy pieces for visitors. These could include words, names or elements inspired by the day's theme, offering memorable and artistic keepsakes. There will also be a public engagement activity where the crowd will sit down together to attempt calligraphy on a large sheet of canvas. During this, professional calligraphy artists will guide and engage the attendees through various styles and techniques of calligraphy.
Artists:
- Narayana Bhattathiri
Calligraffiti is a form that blends the art of calligraphy and the energy of graffiti, which creates a very unique blend. Participants will explore how letterforms blend with dynamic street art, breaking boundaries and conventions. Through observation and hands-on practice, festival attendees can experiment with techniques, strokes, and styles to create visually striking, expressive pieces that tell a story beyond words.
Artists:
- Junvon
This is a space where festival attendees can get their caricatures drawn by artists for a fee that is paid directly to the artist.
Artists:
- M.R. Rajan
- Sajeev Sooranad
- Vinu S
- A Satheesh
- Madhoos
- Jyothish
THEME: KAADU (Forest)
Forests hold the mysteries of wilderness and are home to countless stories woven through their greenery. This day is dedicated to celebrating the flora, wildlife, and ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. It’s an ode to the untamed beauty and the tales whispered by the woods.
Cartoon Lab is an interactive activity where cartoonists will engage the public gathered into the process of developing a cartoon and narratives. Each cartoon will creatively encompass the Ka Corner theme for the day, adding a more meaningful layer to the festival experience.
Artists:
- Unnikrishnan K
- Anoop Radhakrishnan
- K V M Unni
Live Art offers attendees the chance to witness experienced and renowned artists create a painting from scratch. This painting will be aligned with the Ka Corner theme for the day and the chosen title published by Mathrubhumi books, to a specific scenario in it. The process is silent observation combined with reading of the said part by fellow authors or respective authors. Artists in the crowd are also welcome to be a part of this visually and emotionally stimulating experience by painting their own miniature interpretations of the theme.
Artists:
- Gireeshkumar TV (Painting)
- Girish Macreri (Painting)
- JOJI (Charcoal & Graphite Pencil Art)
- Uthamaraj K U (Painting)
- Alan Pappy (Digital Art)
- Shilpa Khey (Painting)
- Aishwarya Suresh (Weaving)
Book of The Day:
Athreyakam (R Rajashree)
During the festival days, 2 caricature artists will be stationed at the speaker lounge with their own stations, where invited speakers can interact with them and get their caricatures drawn. This adds a thoughtful touch to the speaker’s experience of the festival, and will give them something to remember their time here by. These paintings can be live printed and handed out and also can be displayed at Ka Corner for public viewing
Artists:
- Sajjive Balakrishnan
Calligraphy artists at Ka Corner will create personalised MBIFL-themed calligraphy pieces for visitors. These could include words, names or elements inspired by the day's theme, offering memorable and artistic keepsakes. There will also be a public engagement activity where the crowd will sit down together to attempt calligraphy on a large sheet of canvas. During this, professional calligraphy artists will guide and engage the attendees through various styles and techniques of calligraphy.
Artists:
- Narayana Bhattathiri
Calligraffiti is a form that blends the art of calligraphy and the energy of graffiti, which creates a very unique blend. Participants will explore how letterforms blend with dynamic street art, breaking boundaries and conventions. Through observation and hands-on practice, festival attendees can experiment with techniques, strokes, and styles to create visually striking, expressive pieces that tell a story beyond words.
Artists:
- Junvon
This is a space where festival attendees can get their caricatures drawn by artists for a fee that is paid directly to the artist.
Artists:
- M.R. Rajan
- Sajeev Sooranad
- Vinu S
- A Satheesh
- Madhoos
- Jyothish
THEME: KADAL (Sea)
The seas and oceans have always inspired art, poetry, and storytelling across cultures. This day dives into the vastness of water bodies and the narratives they carry—from voyages and dreams to myths and metaphors. It’s a tribute to the ever-changing yet timeless essence of the sea—the currents of change that make up our lives.
Cartoon Lab is an interactive activity where cartoonists will engage the public gathered into the process of developing a cartoon and narratives. Each cartoon will creatively encompass the Ka Corner theme for the day, adding a more meaningful layer to the festival experience.
Artists:
- Unnikrishnan K
- Anoop Radhakrishnan
- K V M Unni
Live Art offers attendees the chance to witness experienced and renowned artists create a painting from scratch. This painting will be aligned with the Ka Corner theme for the day and the chosen title published by Mathrubhumi books, to a specific scenario in it. The process is silent observation combined with reading of the said part by fellow authors or respective authors. Artists in the crowd are also welcome to be a part of this visually and emotionally stimulating experience by painting their own miniature interpretations of the theme.
Artists:
- Gireeshkumar TV (Painting)
- Girish Macreri (Painting)
- JOJI (Charcoal & Graphite Pencil Art)
- Uthamaraj K U (Painting)
- Alan Pappy (Digital Art)
- Shilpa Khey (Painting)
- Aishwarya Suresh (Weaving)
Book of The Day:
Samudrasila (Subash Chandran)
During the festival days, 2 caricature artists will be stationed at the speaker lounge with their own stations, where invited speakers can interact with them and get their caricatures drawn. This adds a thoughtful touch to the speaker’s experience of the festival, and will give them something to remember their time here by. These paintings can be live printed and handed out and also can be displayed at Ka Corner for public viewing
Artists:
- Sajjive Balakrishnan
- Rethish Ravi
Calligraphy artists at Ka Corner will create personalised MBIFL-themed calligraphy pieces for visitors. These could include words, names or elements inspired by the day's theme, offering memorable and artistic keepsakes. There will also be a public engagement activity where the crowd will sit down together to attempt calligraphy on a large sheet of canvas. During this, professional calligraphy artists will guide and engage the attendees through various styles and techniques of calligraphy.
Artists:
- Narayana Bhattathiri
Calligraffiti is a form that blends the art of calligraphy and the energy of graffiti, which creates a very unique blend. Participants will explore how letterforms blend with dynamic street art, breaking boundaries and conventions. Through observation and hands-on practice, festival attendees can experiment with techniques, strokes, and styles to create visually striking, expressive pieces that tell a story beyond words.
Artists:
- Junvon
This is a space where festival attendees can get their caricatures drawn by artists for a fee that is paid directly to the artist.
Artists:
- M.R. Rajan
- Sajeev Sooranad
- Vinu S
- A Satheesh
- Madhoos
THEME: KAALAVASTHA (Weather)
This day goes beyond exploring nature to reflect on the "weather" of our lives and societies. It delves into the state of our surroundings—environmental, political, economic, mental, and existential. By examining these interconnected threads, we understand the tapestry of life and the forces shaping our collective and personal realities.
Cartoon Lab is an interactive activity where cartoonists will engage the public gathered into the process of developing a cartoon and narratives. Each cartoon will creatively encompass the Ka Corner theme for the day, adding a more meaningful layer to the festival experience.
Artists:
- Unnikrishnan K
- Anoop Radhakrishnan
- K V M Unni
Live Art offers attendees the chance to witness experienced and renowned artists create a painting from scratch. This painting will be aligned with the Ka Corner theme for the day and the chosen title published by Mathrubhumi books, to a specific scenario in it. The process is silent observation combined with reading of the said part by fellow authors or respective authors. Artists in the crowd are also welcome to be a part of this visually and emotionally stimulating experience by painting their own miniature interpretations of the theme.
Artists:
- Gireeshkumar TV (Painting)
- Girish Macreri (Painting)
- JOJI (Charcoal & Graphite Pencil Art)
- Uthamaraj K U (Painting)
- Alan Pappy (Digital Art)
- Shilpa Khey (Painting)
- Aishwarya Suresh (Weaving)
Book of The Day:
Snow Lotus (Sonia Cherian)
During the festival days, 2 caricature artists will be stationed at the speaker lounge with their own stations, where invited speakers can interact with them and get their caricatures drawn. This adds a thoughtful touch to the speaker’s experience of the festival, and will give them something to remember their time here by. These paintings can be live printed and handed out and also can be displayed at Ka Corner for public viewing
Artists:
- Sajjive Balakrishnan
- Rethish Ravi
Calligraphy artists at Ka Corner will create personalised MBIFL-themed calligraphy pieces for visitors. These could include words, names or elements inspired by the day's theme, offering memorable and artistic keepsakes. There will also be a public engagement activity where the crowd will sit down together to attempt calligraphy on a large sheet of canvas. During this, professional calligraphy artists will guide and engage the attendees through various styles and techniques of calligraphy.
Artists:
- Narayana Bhattathiri
Calligraffiti is a form that blends the art of calligraphy and the energy of graffiti, which creates a very unique blend. Participants will explore how letterforms blend with dynamic street art, breaking boundaries and conventions. Through observation and hands-on practice, festival attendees can experiment with techniques, strokes, and styles to create visually striking, expressive pieces that tell a story beyond words.
Artists:
- Junvon
This is a space where festival attendees can get their caricatures drawn by artists for a fee that is paid directly to the artist.
Artists:
- M.R. Rajan
- Sajeev Sooranad
- Vinu S
- A Satheesh
- Madhoos
EDITION 6
VENUE:
KANAKAKKUNNU,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
KERALA, INDIA.
