One of the hallmarks of CIMA Art Mela — India’s biggest fair for high-quality, affordable art — is that every edition signals a number of ‘firsts’. This year, the buzz around the fair reached new heights when celebrated Bangladeshi actress, Jaya Ahsan, made her maiden visit to the gallery, ahead of the exhibition opening, to explore its stunning array of artworks. Accompanied by renowned Bengali filmmaker Aniruddha ‘Tony’ Roy Chowdhury, who is no stranger to this annual event, the presence of the two film industry stalwarts added an extra touch of glamour and, more importantly, cross-cultural appreciation to the event. For Ahsan, known for her versatility and nuanced performances in both Bangladeshi and Indian Bengali cinema, her first encounter with CIMA Art Mela was, in her own words, joyous — and, with Roy Chowdhury walking her through the exhibition space, it was clear that she had found a new creative haven.
Roy Chowdhury, of course, has been visiting Art Mela for years. “I don’t have any walls left to hang paintings, but I can’t stop buying art,” said the director of films like Antaheen, Anuranan, Pink, Kadak Singh and Lost — a problem he solves by rotating the artworks on his walls from time to time.
A portrait of a young girl by Kalyan Mukherjee that caught Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s eye
This year, a portrait of a young girl by the young artist, Kalyan Mukherjee, caught his eye as he walked into CIMA. He kept coming back to that one painting throughout his visit. “It’s the pain in her eyes. I can’t seem to take my eyes off her,” said Roy Chowdhury, for whom CIMA Art Mela is a great place to discover young artists without having to worry about quality and authenticity.
A fan of watercolours, the filmmaker also spent a lot of time browsing the works of Sadikul Islam and Sandip Roy. But he finally chose a tempera portrait of a woman by Subir Roy. “There is a serenity in this picture that appeals to me,” he said. “In this chaotic and stressful world, serenity is a very rare commodity.”
For Roy Chowdhury, art that speaks to him is what he picks up. “You know art speaks to you,” he said. “I sit with my coffee in the mornings and spend time surrounded by art. It lifts your spirit and makes you feel good.”
Pratiti Basu Sarkar, chief administrator of CIMA, and Jaya Ahsan greet each other as Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury looks on
What keeps bringing him back to Art Mela year after year? “The vibrant and eclectic collection, and the affordability,” he replied. “You also get to see so many new artists and, over the years, I have seen and bought the works of many young artists who are now all very well established.”
Ahsan — a six-time Bangladesh National Film Award winner for her roles in films like Guerrilla and Debi, as well as several prestigious awards in India for her critically acclaimed roles in films like Bishorjan — is also no stranger to the arts. Trained in Rabindrasangeet and classical music, she has always had an eye for beauty and expression, and her walkthrough at the art fair was a testament to her deep engagement with art. As she moved from one display to the next, she lingered over watercolours, oils and acrylics, offering, every now and then, thoughtful observations that revealed a keen understanding of artistic technique and storytelling.
Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and Jaya Ahsan look through watercolour works by different artists at Art Mela
Her admiration for the works of Sadikul Islam stood out during her visit. The delicate yet striking interplay of light and colour in his cinematic watercolours caught her attention immediately, and she picked one out for herself.
“I have seen Sadikul’s works before, but have not had an opportunity to get one for myself,” she said. “I have a deep fondness for watercolours — and while they are known for their softness, Sadikul brings an element of boldness to this art form that stands out. There’s something so serene yet profoundly evocative in his work… I have already decided where I am going to display this in my house!” She expressed how the paintings resonated with her, evoking a sense of nostalgia and quiet introspection. It was clear that Ahsan’s appreciation extended beyond the surface; she connected with the essence of each piece.
The film industry stalwarts admire the paintings of Sadikul Islam, one of which Jaya Ahsan decided to buy
Roy Chowdhury, too, was visibly pleased to see his guest immersing herself in the art on display. “Art is such a personal journey,” he reflected. “Seeing someone like Jaya, who is herself an artist in many ways, engage with these works is truly special.”
As Ahsan continued her exploration, she marvelled at the range and quality of the curated collection, which included works by senior artists as well as emerging talents. She lingered for a while on the serigraph work of Ramendra Nath Kastha; some time later, she could be seen poring over the artwork of Sunirmal Maiti who, like Ganesh Pyne, works with the notoriously difficult medium of tempera. “It is quite incredible how CIMA Art Mela brings so many forms of expression together under one roof,” she said — an observation that bore testament to CIMA’s efforts to democratise art and make it accessible to all.
Art Mela 2024 is on from November 22-24, 11am to 8pm, at CIMA Gallery (43, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Sunny Towers, 2nd Floor, Kolkata - 700019)