Durga Scapes, a photography exhibition by Avirup Guha Roy, displayed 16 photographs that were reminiscent of the rich craftsmanship of Bengal that is showcased year after year in the puja pandals across Calcutta. Documented since 2007, the exhibition curated by Kanaklata and Amalin Datta, the force behind the popular menswear fashion brand Sharbari Studio, had some of the very popular Durga pratimas that the city has witnessed in the last 15 years. From Durga's non-classical imagery by artist Purnendu De in Shib Mandir Sarbonjonin in 2007 to Kalitala Sporting’s idol based on Afro visage in 2008 and the eco-green avatar of the devi in Barisha Club in 2010 to the award-winning artist Gouranga Kuliya’s idol with dokra effect at Mitali in 2009 and more, each picture was taken skillfully. The exhibition was held at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences during the Durga Puja festival.
Curators Kanaklata and Amalin Datta at the launch of the exhibition. Amalin said, “The idea was to celebrate the rich heritage and craftsmanship of Bengal and Avirup through his work has captured it so well. We just decided to lend our support to the cause which is close to our hearts.”
(l-r) Satrajit Sen with wife Sudesha and daughter Radhika, Actor Richa Sharma
Avirup said, “This documentation’s timeline is from 2007 to 2022 and we wanted to curate one photograph per year. They have been photographed in Calcutta during Durga Puja and my collection would be somewhere around 80,000 pictures which was cut down to a list of 200 and then condensed further to 20. The primary objective behind the selection was to showcase the evolution of matrimurti or the image of Goddess Durga which has evolved over the years with thematic displays.”