Kuala Lumpur, Jan 6 Symbols Art Club, a new platform for Malaysian Indian artists to connect and to express themselves, has begun by holding its first exhibition — Caves on Canvas.

The venue is the Batu caves that has a series of caves and cave temples, located in Gombak district, 13 km north of the national capital.

The caves house one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

Among the artists exhibiting their works is Mona Kumara Velu, who has been studying art under Jeganathan Ramachandram and has just enrolled on a Fine Arts diploma course at Malaysian Institute of Art.

For the 21-year-old, Caves on Canvas marks her third exhibition, New Straits Times reported.

Kathiravan Sobramaniam, 37, an engineer by profession, is exhibiting his works for the first time in Caves on Canvas.

"I've been passionate about art since youth," he says, adding that he had lacked the right direction until he met Jeganathan.

Club president Malliga Selathurai is optimistic that more will join the current 20 members as artists become aware of its existence.

"Previously, people were aware of only five Indian artists — including Jeganathan, Stephen Menon and Syed Thajudeen — in Malaysia.

"Now they would know of another 16 up-and-coming ones," she says, referring to the artists whose works are on display.

Malliga, who teaches art and craft to Malaysian Community and Education Foundation pre-school teachers, feels the formation of the club is essential to encourage and instill an interest in new Indian artists.

"There are no clubs for Indian artists; I hope this would be a great connecting point for them.

"This association will enable these talented people to get together to acquire and share ideas," she said.