Art in Life, the annual lifestyle exhibition at the CIMA Gallery is a journey through Indian art, encapsulated in three rooms of lively displays. From the hand-printed fabrics of Odisha to the Dokra statues of Bengal, the exhibition upholds the rich cultural tapestry of India through the handiwork of its artisans.
With a focus on the artforms of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh this year, the exhibition intends to focus on “shifting the perspective of viewers to the lesser-known intrinsic art forms of India”. A large part of this year’s exhibition is the tradition of temple jewellery.
Attending the event was Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee, actor, fashion designer and stylist, showing off a signature neck piece with an equally gorgeous ring. Pratiti Basu Sarkar, the chief administrator of CIMA, hailed him as a “multidimensional hero of the city”. For Chatterjee, “Art in Life is a display of the harmony of humanity through art.”
Vinesh Kumar Maheshwari and (right) Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee interact with the audience
A three-day display of the creations of Mireya Jewels, based in Rajasthan, stood out at the preview, especially the pieces inspired by Indian temple jewellery. Founder Vinesh Kumar Maheshwari, as part of his inaugural speech, said, “There was a high demand for temple jewellery. People were inspired by the gods and goddesses wearing these designs, and brought it to us. We wanted to incorporate these designs into ordinary everyday life.”
What is at the heart of Art in Life? Director and curator of CIMA, Rakhi Sarkar, told My Kolkata, “Rather than having the artists set up stalls and hope for a sale, we invest in them directly. We ensure that they get their deserved compensation. A sari takes six months to weave; what is the right price for such a work? These are priceless works, and we at CIMA try to support the weavers as much as possible.”
Bronze and dokra statues on display, including a figurine of Nataraj
The exhibition also features a variety of south Indian silks, master weavings and silk scarves among textiles. Dokra statues of traditional Bengali gods accompany south Indian brass and bronze products for puja. Atop them stands Nataraj in metal, caught in a moment of his tandav.
The walls of CIMA are occupied by a variety of wall-hangings: masks featuring danavas and vanaras from Cheriyal and beyond, framed paintings, and little mirrors set in intricate wooden frames. They overlook hand-painted statues and ornate chairs featuring human and animal figures in tribal motifs. Staying true to its motto of revising the way art is seen, the exhibits blend modernity with tradition. Shirts for men, jackets and blouses for women feature traditional prints while retaining the utility of everyday use. There is also a display of a wide range of bags of various sizes, made for everyday use with traditional prints.
As part of her address at the inauguration, Rakhi Sarkar told the audience how the gallery was started in 2000 to represent all of India in this little space. “This initiative has grown over the years, and every year the focus is on a particular region of India,” she said. “However, at Art in Life, some remain constant, like the south Indian states, Bengal, and Rajasthan. These products are not commercial, but meant to preserve the dying artistic forms of the country. Some of the products on display are unique pieces made for the exhibition, with no duplicates.”
CIMA director Rakhi Sarkar introduces Kundan Lal Verma and Vinesh Kumar Maheshwari to the audience as the chief administrator of CIMA, Pratiti Basu Sarkar, theatre artist Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee and Ladies Study Group president Minnie Juneja look on
Also present at the event was Kundan Lal Verma, a veteran designer of temple jewellery, who has collaborated with Mireya Jewels for many of the pieces that were on display. The duo presents a variety of accessories, from vibrant neck pieces to subtle wristbands as part of the exhibit. Verma himself attended the event decked out in gorgeous pieces. Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee upheld Verma as an example of how such accessories do not just belong to women, and emphasised the need for men to bring back this culture in supporting India’s jewellers.
“Part of Mireya’s initiative is to create both minimalist and maximalist jewellery that can be comfortably worn by men, not just women,” said Maheshwari. “These would not just go with traditional outfits, but also with western wear.”
Indigenous artwork and tribal masks on display at Art in Life
Art in Life is heavily supported by the Ladies Study Group, whose president, Minnie Juneja, called it “one of the most anticipated lifestyle events”, highlighting how CIMA makes art democratic and inclusive both online and offline. For her, it blends the visions of ancient and modern India, bringing art, history, and literature together under one roof. Of the many art forms, the Bengal patachitra style and Tanjore paintings stand out the most. Serving trays featuring Durga with her family in the Kalighat pat style accompanied gold jewellery with Tanjore art at their centre.
Veteran temple jeweller Kundan Lal Verma, whose collaboration with Mireya Jewels led to some stunning pieces on display at Art in Life
A visitor to Art in Life browses through the textiles and artefacts on display
Art in Life offers Kolkata a unique shopping experience that goes on to support India’s rich cultural tapestry. The exhibition is happening at CIMA Art Gallery till October 9, right as Durga Puja arrives in the city.
