In pictures: Kolkata college students try their hands at woodblock cutting and printing

Women’s Christian College, in collaboration with the Sumeli Folk Study Archive, Sucharu Incubation Centre, and Unmesh Entrepreneurship Cell, successfully organised a transformative hands-on workshop on woodblock cutting and printing on January 15 and 16 on their Kalighat campus

The event saw enthusiastic participation of both present and former students from Women's Christian College, Scottish Church College, and faculty members from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Government College. The workshop, mentored by visual artist and printmaker Soura Chatterjee, aimed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of woodblock printing, enabling them to create their own engraved blocks and prints

The highlight of the workshop was the opportunity for each student to learn and present two engraved blocks and prints under Chatterjee's expert guidance. Participants were exposed to the intricate techniques of woodblock cutting and printing, allowing them to explore their artistic talents and develop hands-on skills in this traditional art form

A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to an hour-long lecture by Chatterjee, delving into the rich history of block printing. Attendees found the lecture engaging and enlightening, as they learnt about the evolution of this ancient art form and its relevance in contemporary times

Principal of Women’s Christian College Ajanta Paul (left), an advocate for promoting entrepreneurship and artistic expression among women students, said: ‘This workshop will not only help our women students explore entrepreneurial opportunities but also enhance their interest and knowledge in visual idioms as a learning medium. We are grateful to Soura Chatterjee for his invaluable contribution to this endeavour’