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Pratyay, an assisted living space for recovered mental health patients, celebrated the completion of its first year on Friday with striking artworks and installations on its premises near Bondel Gate. The residents of Pratyay helped to put up the artworks, including a bioscope at the entry, a giant lampshade in the library featuring hand-drawn portraits of the residents, a discarded refrigerator turned into a miniature living space and a stunning installation suspended mid-air made up of discarded slippers (in picture above). The centrepiece was a giant sail atop an imaginary boat in which are people -- colourful cloth dolls. Pratyay aims at helping its residents find autonomy by reintegrating them with mainstream society through meaningful work or a return to their families, or, if possible, both. The role of creativity and self-representation in finding one s identity is vital. Bhaskar Mitra, a resident, sang beautifully. The event was also livened up by songs performed by Anindya Chatterjee of Chandrabindoo, Samantak Sinha and Subhajit. Rahul Sarkar accompanied them on the keyboard. Pratyay has been set up by the state government and is managed by Anjali, a mental health rights organisation. Many government officials and health professionals were present Malay Kumar Dey, former chief secretary of the state, said that it was important to document the work of Pratyay. "Art and sound installations are combinations through metaphors. And metaphors have the power to heal and transform," said Ratnaboli Ray of Anjali. The exhibition will be on till July 14 from 11am to 6pm Subhendu Chaki