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Kochi, Nov 5 (IANS) In the sprawling campus of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), where scientists have gathered for the International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems (MECOS 4), another kind of dialogue is unfolding, painted in soft strokes of blue, ochre, and sympathy. A group of artists have transformed a corner of the venue into a live studio, their canvases capturing the pulse of India’s small-scale fisheries and fishermen communities.
A group of artists have transformed a corner of the venue into a live studio, their canvases capturing the pulse of India’s small-scale fisheries.
The initiative, aptly titled ‘Waves of Art’, is coordinated by the Bay of Bengal Program Intergovernmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) to showcase the human stories that power the science of the ocean.
Here, art becomes a bridge between communities and conservation.
Vivid watercolors and acrylic paintings depict fishermen hauling nets at sunrise, women catching fish during the day, and children chasing waves along the shore.
Each brushstroke highlights the resilience, rhythm and dignity of life on the shores of India.
“It is about bringing the human face of fisheries to the forefront,” says Dr S. Jayaraj, artist and publishing officer, BOBP-IGO, who led the effort, said.
“Science gives us data, but art gives us emotions. Together, they complete the story of the ocean.”
Eight artists, two from Chennai and six from Kochi, have joined hands for this project, each interpreting the theme ‘Small-Scale Fisheries’ through their own creative lens.
Over the years, BOBP-IGO has explored themes such as ‘Women in Fisheries’, ‘Coastal Environment’ and ‘Fishermen Safety’ through similar initiatives.
Organized in collaboration with the UN’s FAO, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME) project, the event is part of a broader effort to blend art and awareness.
For visitors to MECOS 4, the paintings are more than beautiful views, they are gentle reminders that behind every shimmering hold lies a community, a culture, and countless stories shaped by the tides.
–IANS
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