Kolkata Carnival 2023, an art and culture festival that intends to celebrate indigenous artisans and their craftsmanship, got off to a colourful start on March 10 at Triangular Park in Gariahat. The week-long carnival, which will continue till March 16, is open to visitors between noon and 8pm and is being organised by AIM (Art Illuminates Mankind) and Tabla.Inc. Featuring a wide range of exquisitely-designed handmade and handcrafted works, it brings together artists from all over the country on a common platform to showcase their creations. Visitors can witness magnificent displays of folk and tribal dance forms on each day of the carnival, including Dhamsa, Baul and Ranpa along with classical dance and music performances. Baul and Fakir songs are also an intrinsic part of the festival. Rural artisans at the carnival can be seen presenting live demonstrations of their skills as they work on art and craft forms like Bengal patachitra, wood, bamboo, glass works and many more, while they create products that can adorn the homes of buyers.
The festival was inaugurated by noted film-maker Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury (right). Tanmoy Bose of Tabla. Inc (left) delivered the inaugural address in which he drew attention to the rich diversity of Indian art and culture. He also highlighted the importance of appreciating, promoting and popularising traditional art and craft forms and reviving those forms that are almost forgotten.
This exquisitely-designed creation on batik with a life-sized motif of goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura can be used as a tapestry. It is the biggest crowdpuller at this stall showcasing fabric-painted clothing and other hand-painted art objects.
Available in an array of traditional designs, Kantha-stitch saris, dupattas and dress materials in cool, comfortable cottons are some of the most popular picks by visitors of all ages.
Hand-crafted on wood, these beautiful figurines of goddess Durga with her brood, village couples and more, are fast flying off the display shelves.
These young ladies appear spoilt for choice by the breathtaking collection of silver and semi-precious jewellery in traditional, contemporary and quirky designs. Statement neck-pieces, cocktail finger-rings and oversized Kundan ear-drops are some of the products vying for buyers’ attention.
Made by rural artists, these paintings in vibrant colours that depict various aspects of tribal life are attracting many visitors as well
Artistically-designed home decor products like wall-hangings, coasters, photo-frames, flower vases and pencil stands, made with eco-friendly materials like coconut coir, jute and bamboo are also on display.
Visitors at the carnival were also spotted digging into the hot, spicy and lip-smacking tribal fare available at the food stalls.
A group of tribal performers enthralled visitors with the energetic, festive and frenzied beats of the Dhamsa, a special type of tribal drums unique to the Adivasi belts of Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.
Pictures: Biswajit Kundu