Latest news with #hornbill
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
This botanical illustrator is charting the endemic and endangered species of the Western Ghats, one brushstroke at a time
At the intersection of art and science, lies the realm of botanical illustration. For Suresh Ragavan, a bird artist, who has served as a botanical illustrator at the Botanical Survey of India for over 33 years, this realm has not only been a source of his bread and butter, but inspiration too that kept fuelling his passion for Nature. This passion has now translated into a solo exhibition — titled, Brushstrokes of Endemic Echoes — of his creations, 157 of which adorn the Kadambari Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum, Chennai. 'A botanical illustrator faces many challenges, both artistic and scientific. One of the biggest is achieving scientific accuracy — even the tiniest mistake in a leaf shape or petal count can lead to rejections from botanists. Getting final approval often means multiple rounds of corrections, especially when working on species with minute differences, like male and female plants or visually similar varieties,' explains Suresh, about the nitty-gritty of his artistic endeavours. 'Capturing microscopic details like ovary shape, stamen arrangement, or leaf venation requires intense focus and sometimes working under a microscope. There's also the challenge of interpreting incomplete or wilted specimens collected from the field. Above all, patience and precision are constant companions in this demanding, but rewarding work' he adds. A graduate of the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai (1988), Suresh began his professional journey, driven by a mission to use art as a tool for conservation. In doing so, he has documented and painted a vast array of species, including wild animals, orchids, butterflies, and especially birds. He has studied and illustrated over 157 endangered bird species, ensuring that each anatomical feature — beak, feet, feather pattern, body posture, and even minute sexual dimorphisms between males and females — is faithfully represented. 'In total, I have nearly 550 paintings. This exhibition only showcases endangered birds in the Western Ghats that I have documented over the years. The list of endemic birds featured at the exhibition includes Pallas's fish eagle, mangrove pitta, Nilgiri thrush, Vigors's sunbird, great hornbill, Nilgiri Chilappan, flame-throated bulbul, Malabar grey hornbill and black-and-orange flycatcher,' he adds. The spectrum of botanical illustrators spans a colourful trajectory. Encyclopaedia Britannica cites classical pharmacologist, artist, and physician to Mithradates VI, king of Pontus (120–63 BC) Crateuas's drawings as the earliest known botanical illustrations. In India, the earliest form of botanical art traces its roots to depictions on early archaeological sites and in ancient manuscripts. This sphere of art flourishes even today, despite the convenience of high-end cameras and mobile phones. Why, though? 'Despite all the fancy cameras, a botanical illustrator captures what the lens often misses — clarity, emotion, and essence. Cameras can distort colours or miss tiny structures hidden in shadows, while the brush highlights them with precision. Illustrations unify multiple views — flower, fruit, leaf, dissection — into one clear visual story. There's a sensitivity in hand-drawn art that breathes life into the subject. The paintbrush doesn't just record a plant — it interprets it,' says Suresh. True to his words, Suresh's work stands out for its scientific accuracy and sensitivity to detail. He uses water colours on paper as his medium of expression. His illustrations have been widely acknowledged in academic papers, conservation reports, exhibitions, and they serve as visual records of species that are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and human encroachment. Many of his paintings focus on endemic and endangered species of the Western Ghats and India, highlighting their fragile existence and the urgent need for their protection. On display at Kadambari Art Gallery, DakshinaChitra Museum, Chennai, till June 2; 10am to 6pm; weekends till 7pm. Entry is included with regular museum admission (closed on Tuesdays).
Free Malaysia Today
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Kuching mayor defends hornbill design on Affin card
Kuching South mayor Wee Hong Seng with an Affin Bank debit card for Sarawakians, which bears the image of a hornbill. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The mayor of Kuching South has defended Affin Bank after it was accused of depicting the wrong species of hornbill on a debit card exclusive to Sarawakians. Wee Hong Seng, who is also a leader of the Sarawak United People's Party, said DAP assemblyman Violet Yong's criticism of Affin Bank was off the mark. He said the hornbill on the debit card was merely a conceptual design, Dayak Daily reported. Wee also said the design of the hornbill featured was 'quite close' to the rhinoceros hornbill, Sarawak's state bird, with a casque that curves upwards. 'If you ask me whether it resembles the rhinoceros hornbill, I'd say it is quite close,' he was quoted as saying. Wee took Yong to task for ridiculing the bank and state government at a Sarawak DAP fundraising dinner also attended by DAP chairman Gobind Singh Deo, accusing her of besmirching Sarawak's reputation in front of West Malaysians. He said Yong, who is Sarawak DAP secretary, should respect her home state and fellow Sarawakians instead of using a public platform to stir controversy and score political points. 'If something's not right, let's fix it. Don't make Sarawakians lose face in front of outsiders. We've worked to bring this state up. Don't sabotage it for your own interest or publicity. Unity is our strength. When outsiders see how united we are, they won't dare touch us. 'But if they see an internal saboteur, they'll wait for their chance,' he said. Yong had urged Affin Bank to apologise over the purported blunder as well as to recall the cards and replace them with ones that depict the correct species of hornbill. She had said the bird shown on the card was that of the great hornbill instead of the rhinoceros hornbill. The great hornbill is found in mainland Asia while the rhinoceros hornbill is found only in the forests of Peninsular Malaysia and the islands of Sumatra, Java and Borneo. Affin Bank introduced the Kenyalang savings account for Sarawakians last month. Account holders were given a special debit card bearing the hornbill graphic. The Sarawak government has a 31.25% stake in the bank, after acquiring additional shares from the Armed Forces Fund Board and Boustead Holdings Bhd last year.
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Not our kenyalang': Affin Bank's hornbill blunder sparks criticism from Sarawak DAP leaders
KUCHING, May 17 — The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak organising secretary Violet Yong has called on Affin Bank to issue a correction and public apology for using the wrong hornbill species on a bank card designed to represent Sarawak, calling it a 'cultural misrepresentation'. Speaking during a DAP Sarawak fundraising dinner here on Thursday, Yong said that the hornbill depicted is the 'Great Hornbill' — a species not native to Sarawak. 'The Hornbill shown on the card is called the Great Hornbill which can only be found in West Malaysia, India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. 'It is not the Rhinoceros Hornbill or locally known as 'Burung Kenyalang', the state bird of Sarawak and how can Affin Bank use a wrong identity to represent Sarawak?. 'The Sarawak state hornbill has a black neck, while the one on the card has a white neck, confirming it is the wrong species,' she said. Given that the Sarawak government holds a 31.25 per cent stake in Affin Bank, Yong expressed disappointment that such a mistake occurred. 'This should not have happened as the card is meant to represent Sarawak and none of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders pointed this out. 'If this card is our pride, Affin should use the correct hornbill species for it as I believe that the card's graphic designer is not a Sarawakian,' she emphasised. Yong urged the bank to recall the card and replace it with the correct image of the Rhinoceros Hornbill, while also issuing a formal apology to the people of Sarawak. — The Borneo Post pic Yong urged the bank to recall the card and replace it with the correct image of the Rhinoceros Hornbill, while also issuing a formal apology to the people of Sarawak. As of press time, Affin Bank has yet to issue a public response on the matter. The event, themed 'Rocket Night', drew over 1,000 attendees and was graced by DAP Malaysia chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who is also Digital Minister cum Damansara MP. Its publicity secretary cum Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, meanwhile, delivered his speech via live video conference while abroad. Present were DAP Sarawak chairman cum Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen; vice chairman cum Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol; assistant publicity secretary Michael Kong, DAP Johor secretary Andrew Chen; and event organising chairman Sim Kiat Leng. — The Borneo Post
Malay Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Not our kenyalang': Affin Bank's hornbill blunder sparks criticism from DAP Sarawak leaders
KUCHING, May 17 — The Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak organising secretary Violet Yong has called on Affin Bank to issue a correction and public apology for using the wrong hornbill species on a bank card designed to represent Sarawak, calling it a 'cultural misrepresentation'. Speaking during a DAP Sarawak fundraising dinner here on Thursday, Yong said that the hornbill depicted is the 'Great Hornbill' — a species not native to Sarawak. 'The Hornbill shown on the card is called the Great Hornbill which can only be found in West Malaysia, India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others. 'It is not the Rhinoceros Hornbill or locally known as 'Burung Kenyalang', the state bird of Sarawak and how can Affin Bank use a wrong identity to represent Sarawak?. 'The Sarawak state hornbill has a black neck, while the one on the card has a white neck, confirming it is the wrong species,' she said. Given that the Sarawak government holds a 31.25 per cent stake in Affin Bank, Yong expressed disappointment that such a mistake occurred. 'This should not have happened as the card is meant to represent Sarawak and none of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders pointed this out. 'If this card is our pride, Affin should use the correct hornbill species for it as I believe that the card's graphic designer is not a Sarawakian,' she emphasised. Yong urged the bank to recall the card and replace it with the correct image of the Rhinoceros Hornbill, while also issuing a formal apology to the people of Sarawak. — The Borneo Post pic Yong urged the bank to recall the card and replace it with the correct image of the Rhinoceros Hornbill, while also issuing a formal apology to the people of Sarawak. As of press time, Affin Bank has yet to issue a public response on the matter. The event, themed 'Rocket Night', drew over 1,000 attendees and was graced by DAP Malaysia chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who is also Digital Minister cum Damansara MP. Its publicity secretary cum Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii, meanwhile, delivered his speech via live video conference while abroad. Present were DAP Sarawak chairman cum Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen; vice chairman cum Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol; assistant publicity secretary Michael Kong, DAP Johor secretary Andrew Chen; and event organising chairman Sim Kiat Leng. — The Borneo Post
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Affin Bank faces flak over ‘wrong hornbill' on debit card
Violet Yong of Sarawak DAP pointing out the difference between the two species of hornbill birds. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Affin Bank has been urged by a Sarawak assemblyman to apologise for depicting the wrong species of hornbill on a debit card exclusive to Sarawakians. Pending assemblyman Violet Yong said the bird depicted on the 'Kenyalang savings account' card was the great hornbill, found in mainland Asia, which is not native to Sarawak. The state bird of Sarawak, the burung kenyalang, is the rhinoceros hornbill, found in Southeast Asia and Borneo. The rhinoceros hornbill is also depicted on the RM5 note. Violet Yong. 'How can Affin Bank use a wrong identity to represent Sarawak? Sarawak's hornbill has a black neck, while the one on the card has a white neck, confirming it is the wrong species,' she said, according to The Borneo Post. Yong, who is Sarawak DAP organising secretary, said Affin Bank should not have made such a blunder when the Sarawak government became its majority shareholder recently. Yong also questioned why none of the leaders of ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak had noticed the gaffe. She urged the bank to recall the cards and replace them with ones that depict the correct species of hornbill. Affin Bank's Kenyalang savings account card. Affin Bank introduced the Kenyalang savings account for Sarawakians last month. Account holders were given a special debit card bearing the hornbill graphic. The Sarawak government has a 31.25% stake in the bank, after acquiring additional shares from the Armed Forces Fund Board and Boustead Holdings Bhd last year.
