Early Life and Artistic Roots

Art has been an intrinsic part of Surekha’s identity for as long as she can remember. Born on January 1, 1969, in Thalassery—the colourful land of looms and lores in north Malabar—her formative years were spent in the peaceful, cool environment of the Nilgiris, which both tempered and stoked her creative passion.
A uniquely formative chapter of her childhood unfolded inside Aranmore Palace (later taken over by the Government of Tamil Nadu and renamed Thamizhagam Palace), the former residence of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Spending hours playing within the palace corridors, she became entirely captivated by the magnificent paintings of the Maharaja’s hunting expeditions. These works unconsciously sowed the seeds of an artist within her. Although she dabbled in drawing and sketching during her school years and won numerous prizes, she discovered her true artistic merit and calling under the mentorship of preceptors at The School of Arts, Thalassery. Supported by parents who encouraged her passions—and despite her father’s initial hesitation regarding hostels—she moved to Kerala to stay with her grandparents, completing a two-year Certificate Course and a one-year Diploma in Drawing and Painting.

From Delhi to the Corporate World of Jewellery Design
Following her marriage, Surekha relocated to Delhi, where her artistic journey diversified. She designed hand-painted dinner sets, created replicas of works by great masters, and prepared drawings for stained-glass paintings. Each of these experiences broadened her perspective and sharpened her artistic technique.

Upon returning to Kerala, she took an office role at a jewellery manufacturing firm. Her creative mind remained active, and she began sketching ideas in a notebook to rearrange display elements into more elegant designs. When these sketches reached her employer, she was entrusted with designing three heavy necklaces, all of which sold out on the very day they were displayed.

This milestone marked the beginning of a transformative career chapter. Surekha was appointed as a jewellery designer and ultimately served for 18 years as the Design Head of a reputed jewellery chain in Kerala. Her vast métier encompassed more than 3,000 distinct jewellery designs. Among her most celebrated creations was the Kathakali Necklace, which brilliantly blended Kerala’s premier classical performance art with exquisite design expertise. This piece won international approbation and recognition, famously being featured on TLC’s Oh My Gold series.

The Artistic Philosophy and the “Look from the Heavens” Series
Despite a highly successful corporate career, painting remained her true emotional calling. Eventually, after nearly two decades in the jewellery industry, she made the bold choice to resign and devote herself entirely to fine art. Her current painting style focuses intensely on the interplay between colors, brushstrokes, and textures to achieve depth and an immersive viewer experience. Her signature series, “Look from the Heavens”, studies rare regions of the earth that remain unsullied by human intervention, captured from an imagined plane suspended between the heavens and the earth.
Inspired by aerial photography, Surekha explores the rhizomatic structure of interconnectedness found across all natural elements—from human nerve networks to flowing water springs connecting to vast oceans. Key elements of this artistic vision include:

Pristine Realism and Perspective: The series balances realism and imagination through a deliberate shift in perspective. It asks why humans look to a distant heaven when the earth itself is the epitome of raw, natural beauty.

Textured Landscapes: Surekha avoids flat surfaces and smoothness, utilizing bold brushstrokes and rich textures. Earth is never viewed as a flat brown; instead, countless hidden shades—ochres, reds, greens, greys, and blues—coexist beneath the surface.

Hidden Forms: As she paints landscapes from a bird’s-eye perspective, viewers frequently spot organic silhouettes (such as birds, cows, or lizards) that emerge naturally from the composition, reflecting nature’s underlying blueprint of creation.

Exhibitions, Camps, and Cultural Context
Surekha’s artistic footprint spans numerous solo and group exhibitions, painting camps, and prestigious showcases across India and abroad.

Notable Exhibitions & Recognition:
Surekha was selected twice for the prestigious Kerala State Exhibition, held at the historic Durbar Hall, Kochi, an important platform showcasing the works of accomplished artists from across the state. Her artistic journey was further distinguished by receiving the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi grand, which she shared with two other artists in recognition of her creative contribution and artistic excellence.
Camps
Surekha actively participated in several prestigious art camps, including the T. K. Padmini Art Camp, organised by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, and the National Art Camp organised by Tata Power at Mulshi, gaining valuable exposure and enriching her artistic journey through interaction with fellow artists and diverse creative practices.

Thalassery and the Fourth “C”
Based in Thalassery—a town traditionally renowned for its cultural “3 Cs” (Cake, Cricket, and Circus)—Surekha affectionately notes that the town richly deserves a fourth “C” for Culture (or Creativity) given its vibrant literary, performing arts, and artistic traditions. Through her deeply evocative canvases, Surekha continues to document nature’s vanishing rhythms, inviting viewers to pause, reconnect with their roots, and recognize that the earth beneath our feet is a living masterpiece.