To mark the 70th anniversary of the “Establishment of Diplomatic Relations” between Japan and India and to popularise Manga art, an exhibition was inaugurated on Friday at Nazrul Tirtha, New Town. The 14-day exhibition titled, Manga Hokusai Manga, has been jointly conducted by the Japanese consulate in Kolkata and HIDCO. The exhibition showcased several artworks like cartoons, book covers and paintings.
Inaugurated by artist Shubhaprasanna Bhattacharjee, HIDCO managing director, Debasish Sen, Japanese consul general, Koichi Nakagawa, and vice-consul, Risa Tamura, were present.
(L-R) Japanese consul general, Koichi Nagakawa, HIDCO managing director, Debasish Sen, and chief guest of the function, artist Shubhaprasanna Bhattacharjee at Nazrul Tirtha, New Town, on Friday Sourav Nandy
About Manga art
The consul general, Koichi Nakagawa, said Manga art has its roots in ancient Japanese art. The term manga is used in Japan to refer to both comics and cartooning. The origins of manga can be traced as far back as the 12th century.
The exhibition also displays artworks by artist Katsushika Hokusai, who laid the foundation for the Manga movement in Japan. Katsushika Hokusai or known simply as Hokusai, was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period.
“The exhibition seeks to celebrate the subjects that define the limits of the art form. Manga comics are based on everything fragile, whimsical, funny, prosaic and entertaining,” Nakagawa added.
The chief guest, artist Shubhaprasanna Bhattacharjee, said, “India’s relationship with Japan is well-known. Abanindranath Tagore played a pioneering role with his art and influenced Japanese artist Okakura. Manga art is very interesting and I hope young artists, painters and illustrators throng this exhibition to enrich their knowledge,” he added.
