This botanical illustrator is charting the endemic and endangered species of the Western Ghats, one brushstroke at a time

Nilgiri Chilappan
| Picture Credit score: Particular association

On the intersection of artwork and science, lies the realm of botanical illustration. For Suresh Ragavan, a chicken artist, who has served as a botanical illustrator on the Botanical Survey of India for over 33 years, this realm has not solely been a supply of his bread and butter, however inspiration too that saved fuelling his ardour for Nature. This ardour has now translated right into a solo exhibition — titled, Brushstrokes of Endemic Echoes — of his creations, 157 of which adorn the Kadambari Artwork Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum, Chennai.

Suresh captures microscopic particulars, like ovary form, stamen association, or leaf venation whereas working beneath a microscope
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Particular association

“A botanical illustrator faces many challenges, each inventive and scientific. One of many greatest is reaching scientific accuracy — even the tiniest mistake in a leaf form or petal depend can result in rejections from botanists. Getting remaining approval usually means a number of rounds of corrections, particularly when engaged on species with minute variations, like female and male vegetation or visually related varieties,” explains Suresh, concerning the nitty-gritty of his inventive endeavours. “Capturing microscopic particulars like ovary form, stamen association, or leaf venation requires intense focus and generally working beneath a microscope. There’s additionally the problem of deciphering incomplete or wilted specimens collected from the sector. Above all, persistence and precision are fixed companions on this demanding, however rewarding work” he provides.

Vigors’s sunbird
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Particular association

A graduate of the Authorities School of Arts and Crafts, Chennai (1988), Suresh started his skilled journey, pushed by a mission to make use of artwork as a instrument for conservation. In doing so, he has documented and painted an enormous array of species, together with wild animals, orchids, butterflies, and particularly birds.

He has studied and illustrated over 157 endangered chicken species, guaranteeing that every anatomical function — beak, ft, feather sample, physique posture, and even minute sexual dimorphisms between men and women — is faithfully represented. “In complete, I’ve almost 550 work. This exhibition solely showcases endangered birds within the Western Ghats that I’ve documented over time. The record of endemic birds featured on the exhibition contains Pallas’s fish eagle, mangrove pitta, Nilgiri thrush, Vigors’s sunbird, nice hornbill, Nilgiri Chilappan, flame-throated bulbul, Malabar gray hornbill and black-and-orange flycatcher,” he provides.

Black-and-orange flycatcher
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Particular association

The spectrum of botanical illustrators spans a vibrant trajectory. Encyclopaedia Britannica cites classical pharmacologist, artist, and doctor to Mithradates VI, king of Pontus (120–63 BC) Crateuas’s drawings because the earliest identified botanical illustrations. In India, the earliest type of botanical artwork traces its roots to depictions on early archaeological websites and in historical manuscripts. This sphere of artwork thrives even right this moment, regardless of the comfort of high-end cameras and cell phones. Why, although? “Regardless of all the flamboyant cameras, a botanical illustrator captures what the lens usually misses — readability, emotion, and essence. Cameras can distort colors or miss tiny constructions hidden in shadows, whereas the comb highlights them with precision. Illustrations unify a number of views — flower, fruit, leaf, dissection — into one clear visible story. There’s a sensitivity in hand-drawn artwork that breathes life into the topic. The paintbrush doesn’t simply document a plant — it interprets it,” says Suresh.

Nice hornbill 
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Particular association

True to his phrases, Suresh’s work stands out for its scientific accuracy and sensitivity to element. He makes use of water colors on paper as his medium of expression. His illustrations have been extensively acknowledged in educational papers, conservation reviews, exhibitions, they usually function visible data of species which are more and more threatened by habitat loss, local weather change, and human encroachment. Lots of his work concentrate on endemic and endangered species of the Western Ghats and India, highlighting their fragile existence and the pressing want for his or her safety.

Suresh makes use of water colors on paper as his medium of expression
| Picture Credit score:
Particular association

On show at Kadambari Artwork Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum, Chennai, until June 2; 10am to 6pm; weekends until 7pm. Entry is included with common museum admission (closed on Tuesdays).