Art in Life, CIMA’s annual lifestyle exhibition, on till October 11, is like a mini-India with carefully curated handloom and handicraft items that bring under one roof unique weaves, disappearing artforms and cultural traditions from across the country. From Sami quilts made by snake charmers from the Kutch region to Dolabedi saris from tribal weavers in Chhattisgarh to Ikkat bags from Andhra Pradesh, it is a pre-Durga Puja one-stop shop for anyone who wants to sample India’s wide diversity of creativity.
For US consul-general Melinda Pavek, her first visit to Art in Life was a perfect combination of beautiful designs, sustainability and cultural representation.
“CIMA has brought together a collection of arts and crafts that are exquisitely beautiful in their designs, sustainable resource usage, and cultural imagery,” said Pavek, who took over as the US consul-general in Kolkata this August.
“At Art in Life one can find a mixture of both authentic designs and craftsmanship as well as contemporary aesthetics and we are putting a lot of stress on sustainability which is crucial at this time,” said Rakhi Sarkar, director of CIMA Gallery, explaining the idea behind the annual exhibition.
A brass Tree of Life from Andhra Pradesh made Melinda Pavek stop for a look
“This place is full of treasure and I am on a treasure hunt,” said Pavek, browsing the collection at CIMA. The first thing that caught her eye was the exquisitely carved brass Tree of Life from craftsmen in Andhra Pradesh. “I have always had a thing for the Tree of Life and this piece is beautiful. The work is so detailed,” she said.
A white leaf-printed sari from Beej and Co. was a favourite for its design and sustainable resource usage
Pavek loved the collection of saris at the exhibition but was particularly taken by the leaf printed sari from Beej and Co. “Whether you wear it as a sari or use it as fabric, it is fantastic. Especially because it was made using natural leaves and natural colours,” said the US consul-general. An earthy brown scarf from the same collection also made it to her shortlist as a gift for her sister. “The colours on this scarf are beautiful. I look at it and I think how nice it would look on my sister. It is exactly the kind of thing she would wear. So I am thinking of gifting it to her, maybe for Christmas or her birthday, which is coming up,” she said.
Created by artist Vishal Bhand and his designer wife Bijoya Haldar, each of Beej and Co’s pieces are handmade and unique and created using organic materials and natural dyes.
Melinda Pavek flanked by Pratiti Basu Sarkar and Rakhi Sarkar (right)
Her next pick of the visit was an Ikat bag from Andhra, because of the combination of beauty and utility. “This is probably one of my favourites from the exhibition. It is beautiful and it is practical. I love beautiful things that I can actually use,” said Pavek.
Elephant motifs on a quilted bedspread from Saurashtra made the US consul-general nostalgic
A quilted bedspread set from Saurashtra with blue elephant motifs made her nostalgic. “My grandmother had a host of elephant collectibles and every time I see anything with elephant patterns I get an urge to buy it just so that I can feel close to her,” said Pavek.
“I enjoyed my visit and am thrilled with the lovely item I chose to buy to hang in my home,” she added.
(Video edited by Madhurai Banerjee)
CIMA Art in Life will be on till October 11, daily from 11am to 8pm, at CIMA Gallery, Sunny Towers (second floor), 43, Ashutosh Chowdhury Avenue, Kolkata 700019