It was Arpita Bhattacharya, the better half of Tamal Bhattacharya and force behind Studio Calyx, who, one day, in the middle of an adda session at their picture-perfect home in Baruipur, proposed to pay a tribute to Sukumar Ray’s Abol Tabol, as it marked its centenary.
A copy of ‘Abol Tabol’ at Studio Calyx
Over time, what gradually shaped was an amalgamation of artists, under the leadership of Tamal Bhattacharya, the creative mind behind Studio Calyx. The collaboration brought to life their own versions of Abol Tabol, with unique artistic expressions. My Kolkata had a chat with seven artists, including the likes of Uday Deb, Susmita Basu, Chitrali Mukhopadhyay, among others, where they shared how Sukumar Ray inspired them and spilled the beans on what motivated their artwork. Read on…
Tamal Bhattacharya
Tamal Bhattacharya at Studio Calyx, with his artworks
“Abol Tabol is often understood as illustrations. I thought of not following the format, but rather link our creative representations with it. My work of Hanuman carrying a mountain found semblance with “Deher ojon unishta mon, deher gothon jeno lohar moton,” expressed Tamal, narrating the thought behind his exhibited works. His sculpture of a lion sitting on a crown is a satirical take on society and also a tribute to Sukumar Ray, paying homage to the author’s ability to present things differently. Man meets wild, one of the prevalent themes in Tamal’s work, finds a connection with Sukumar’s creations, like Bokochhop.
Uday Deb
Uday Deb’s art installation
“Singher singh nai ei boro koshto,/ hariner sathe mile singh holo pashto” — these lines from Kichuri invariably come to the mind when one stands in front of illustrator Uday Deb’s exhibited artwork, the chair. Uday keeps his works untitled as a statement against casteism, and open to viewer interpretation. His work is an artist’s take on society. “The artwork is an observation on how it watches everyone finding a place on it,” said Uday. “There is no need for any forceful interpretation of Sukumar Ray. His works are sensible and not nonsensical verses,” opined Uday, speaking about the influence of Ray in his life.
Susmita Basu
(Left) Susmita Basu with her artwork that is based on Kunal Basu’s book ‘Tejaswini o Shabnam’, (right) Susmita in front of her fairy series
“Archaeological digs of Mayan, Sumerian and Byzantine reveal the timeless celebration of birth, death and communal rites, which are at the core of my imagination,” is how Susmita has described her work. Her fairy series has been done with the ancient Japanese firing technique Raku, and is inspired by tribal and African art forms. Her terracotta piece that has distinct facial features is based on her husband and author Kunal Basu’s book Tejaswini o Shabnam. “Abol Tabol is very precious to me. It is a different surreal world,” said Susmita, who wanted to deal with Kumropotash of Abol Tabol as her subject.
Chitrali Mukhopadhyay
(L to R) Chitrali Mukhopadhyay exhibiting her series on Roman holiday, and her take on letters
Chitrali’s journey through Europe ignited memories, which got beautifully translated into her artistic expressions. Roman architectural representations adorned with art deco and animal motifs in intricate detailing tell tales of her experiences. Her other work, an open letter to the world, is a nostalgic ode to the now almost obsolete medium of communication, where the open envelope denotes free spirited expression. A treasure trove of heirloom letters inspired the artist to pay homage to the bygone times. “Puro jiniser modhyei Abol Tabol, and it inspires me” shared Chitrali, about the milieu of diverse topics.
Mekhala Bhattacharya
(L to R) Mekhala Bhattacharya with her sculptures on dragon fruit, and sculpture based on Debaloy Bhattacharya’s new project
The human life cycle and the necessity of companionship brings out the beauty of life through Mekhala Bhattacharya’s sculptures. “The duality of meaning in Sukumar Ray’s works, and the humour and wit have always appealed to me. I have tried to depict the duality in my take of our way of living,” said Mekhala. Missile Utshob, a song from her husband, director Debaloy Bhattacharya’s upcoming work Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyenar Kobole, comes to life with a sculpture of a woman at leisure.
Pradhi Ranjan Sengupta
Pradhi Ranjan Sengupta with his exhibited ceramic sculptures at Studio Calyx
“As an artist, I am constantly inspired by Sukumar Ray. Be it the unique figurative styles of different characters or the unusual patterns found in human nature, I am always seeking to capture those beauty and simplicity in my works,” said Pradhi. One of his series depicts a demigod, whose physical features are deformed. The series is based on the realisation that several characters created by the author face a crisis. His interesting take on unifying two animals to make one, like Hansjaru, aims to express if the unification is a product of fear, and to ponder upon the reason for their deformity.
Sriparna
Sriparna with her mixed medium artwork
Handmade things are heartmade too, is how Sriparna sees art. Her interest in mythology often finds a voice in her works. She describes her artwork as ‘Abol Tabol’, which puts together her many ideas to see whether the work turns into Abol Tabol or not. Knitting the pieces together, Sriparna has used a kush asan as the backdrop on which a ceramic face along with several mismatching parts create a visual tale. A human figure shackled by life versus the one who has found a path to freedom captures the eye.
Sreyashi Saha
Sreyashi Saha with her artwork
“Kothay bari keu janena kon saraker morey” — these famous lines from Katukutu Buro have had a deep rooted effect on Sreyashi Saha, a visual artist with an academic background in printmaking. Her zeal for finding newer things takes Sreyashi to various places, and the travelogues take the form of sculptures, showcasing architectures that have left an imprint on her.
Saanijiti Dey
Saanjiti Dey with her ceramic mask work
Saanjiti Dey, a first-year student at the National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFT), draws inspiration from the randomness found in Sukumar Ray’s literary creations. ‘Goph Churi’ or ‘Tyanshgoru’ are a few of her favourites. Saanjiti's work beautifully encapsulates the nuanced layers of human life, exploring the manipulation of vision and emotional turmoil. “A realistic approach but in a surreal way,” is how she sees her exhibited works. Her Salvador Dali inspired ceramic mask is also being exhibited at Studio Calyx.
Rani Pailan
Rani Pailan with her artwork on women empowerment
An unexpected addition to the team, Rani Pailan, a budding artist and school student, brought a fresh perspective. In one of her works, she blends themes of women empowerment with the untamed spirit of a tiger. The backside of the ceramic piece reveals a snake intricately winding around the form. Through her art, Rani gives voice to the wildness in human behaviour and its impact on society. “I hope to pursue art,” shared Rani before signing off.
The art exhibition is on display till December 24, from 3pm to 8pm at Studio Calyx.
