The Joy of Bengal

It can be blithely conceded that Calcutta and Santiniketan are the two primary salons of Bengal art. A poet and a painter were primarily conducive to this free flow of art revolution. Both of these two personnel were an inordinate part of the very eminent Tagore family. If I am thinking clearly, each and every member of the Tagore family has made ample contribution from their genre towards the upliftment of the culture of Bengal.

It’s not just Bengal that they have inspired but the whole of India to a great extent. However, from the aspect of art, two of the mentionworthy names that can never be forgotten are RabindranathTagore himself and celebrated painter Abanindranath Tagore. These personalities of primeval modern Bengal primarily wanted to spread their words about wisdom and art in Calcutta which later on got divided into Calcutta and Santiniketan. After resigning from the Government college of art and craft, Abanindranath and his devoted students came to the manor of Joarashako in search of an art revival. Through their art, mannerisms, and uncomplaining emotions they gave a violent jolt as they lay bare the society’s turmoil, joy, and sombre. With a hope to bring the entire world to India, Rabindranath Tagore formed Visva Bharati, where art and music were the two primordial wings. And their is no doubt about the role Kala Bhavan played in the modern art movement in India. Distinguished painter Nandalal Bose joined Kala Bhavan as faculty with the humble invitation of Abanindranath Tagore himself. Later he brought two of his ardent followers Binode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinkar Baij to contribute as faculty members; their art and expression have become a major source of influence for generations after generations.

In search of an inheritance that would vibe well with “The art of Bengal,” “The joy Bengal,” “Romance of Bengal,” we have decided to throw an exhibition. “Art Magnum,” “Debovasha,” & “108 Art Projects” have organized this special event. We believe as many as twenty-two artists from Calcutta and Santiniketan will be able to exhibit their works which will surely leave you mesmerized. I am pleased to declare that a few distinctive highlights of the show will be artworks of artist Somnath Hore, Reba Hore, Haren Das, Rabin Mondal, Suhas Roy, Sunil Das. Simultaneously there will be a wave of a few flaming artists with the contribution from Sanat Kar, Ganesh Haloi, Ramananada Bandyopadhay, Lalu Prasad Shaw, Jogen Chowdhury, Niren Sengupta, Arup Das and Shuvaprasanna Bhattacharya. There will also be a touch of contemporary artists such as Sekhar Roy, Sanjay Bhattacharya, Atin Basak, Krishnendu Chaki, Alay Ghoshal, Shampa Sirkar Das , Sanjay Das and Chandana Hore.

The exhibit is comprised of artworks of various mediums and the very modern visual medium that is photography. Hence, I can concede that “The Joy of Bengal” will completely resonate with the contemporary art scenario. Our research work was unparalleled; hence we believe this massive exhibit will be a sheer success as we have faith that we will be able mesmerize you with a spectacle.

Sushobhan Adhikary

Curator