Paresh Maity spoke with a certain calmness that perhaps reflected the gentle spirit of his artistic core. His smile travelled to his eyes, making them twinkle. His rootedness is palpable and a lesson in humility. Dressed in his distinctive style, the renowned artist was in town as a special guest at RP Goenka International School’s ‘Artistic Odyssey’ and spent January 19 with the children, chatting with them and enriching them with his masterclass. t2 caught up with him at the Diamond Harbour Road school that opened last year in July.
After how long are you in a classroom?
Not long, about three months. I was in a school in Singapore. Whenever I get the chance, I always love to go and interact with students. That gives me a lot of happiness. One day, I was also a student and I am still a student. Life is a school, you learn every day, every moment.
What do you think of the art room we are seated at right now?
It has a very positive vibration and energy and the art is very good, fluent with imagination and creativity. Life is all about positivity. The room has a lot of light and you need natural light to create and see the pigment, the colour, properly. Light is life.
What will you be talking to the kids about?
I want to be a kid and share with them and I don’t want to impose anything of myself because I want to learn from them.
What recollections do you have of your school days in Tamluk?
That probably will be an encyclopaedia. I was in a pathshala. I used to walk (to the pathshala) when I was six or seven with a jhola, walking through the bamboo trees. It was quite scary at that age. Those places were quite desolate. Even at the age of seven, I wanted to be an artist. Probably except this, I can’t do anything in life.
Shivika Goenka, founder, RPGIS
Who were your mentors?
The biggest teachers in the universe are nature and spirituality. I realised at an early age that nature is the ultimate teacher. As Aristotle said, all art is nothing but an imitation of nature. You cannot think of anything beyond nature. The more you go close to nature, the better off you are in life. I was engrossed in nature. People say I am the son of nature. You would be surprised if I tell you that I used to travel 200km every day when I was studying in Calcutta at Government College of Art and Craft, but I never stayed in Calcutta. I did it for six years... I used to travel for eight hours and in those days, it was quite complicated. I would start at 6am and reach home around midnight. I was never late or absent in those seven years. Only the last one year I stayed in Calcutta, but my mind would go back to nature, to the waterbody or the lush, green field, under the open sky, the sunlight.... During weekends I used to go to Tamluk.
What has nature done to you as an artist?
Till today, cool and compassionate and to enjoy life. Also, to take care of Mother Nature and get constant inspiration. What you can learn from nature, you cannot learn from anything else in this world.
Why do you think art should be a must in a student’s life? Maybe, everyone will not grow up to be an artist, but what do you think it’ll do to a student if art is inculcated at an early stage?
Art is with you and in you and there is art everywhere. It is aesthetics. You may not be a great artist, but at least to have a sense (is important) because art is life and life is art. You cannot live without art. Your home decor is art and the way you dress is art. So, if you can incorporate that aesthetic at the foundation time, you will enrich yourself and it will take you to greater heights.
Abroad, six or seven-year-olds go to a museum and they are inspired by van Gogh and Picasso’s paintings. When you travel you want to visit a MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) or the Van Gogh Museum. Every civilisation, be it Indus Valley Civilisation, Harappa, Mohenjo- daro, the Greek civilisation, Mesopotamia, Ajanta and Ellora, they exist till today, for what? Art. Culture is very important. That was invented before language was invented.
In prehistoric times, they would express themselves by creating three moons, bows and arrows and animals. That indicated that they would be out three nights hunting. When you draw a mango, you don’t have to write it’s a mango. One amazing thing about art is that it is a universal language. Then colours...
You love colours...
When you see a beautiful sunrise, how do you feel? Or, a starry night? That’s what van Gogh created, ‘The Starry Night’. Colour is life, life is colour. You go to Rajasthan and you’ll see the riot of colours. When you see children in beautiful, colourful clothes... colour is therapy. When you see a beautiful sunset, you want to take out your phone and capture that moment because you feel happy. (Takes out his phone and shows us a picture of a 12ft painting). Look at the blue. How do you feel when you see this blue in a 12ft painting, with the tree?
How do you introduce art to a kid?
Snapshots from Paresh Maity’s visit to RP Goenka International School (RPGIS) on January 19
In everyone’s mind there is an artist. In some, it is dominant and in some recessive. Maybe they can’t draw, but they can appreciate it. So, it is important to take out as much as possible from the students. That is why you should never impose on them. Why should I be another Paresh Maity? Let them be themselves. See, we have seven artists in the family and everyone sees a tree very differently. If you ask 10 kids to draw a tree, each will draw it differently. So, you must take out their art.
What are you learning from the kids?
Kids don’t have any preconceived ideas and thoughts. At the age of 90, Picasso said he wanted to be a kid. When you are a mature artist, you know what to do. They have a kind of mannerism, a set mind, but children don’t think. So, when you become a kid, you think of new things every day. That is very important.
How do you look back at a life well lived? What peaks remain to be conquered?
Life is art to me. I have not started yet, I am still searching. I feel sometimes I should have 72 hours in a day.
Paresh Maity with Shivika Goenka, founder, RPGIS, and a bunch of children
Shivika Goenka, founder, RPGIS, filled us in on hosting Paresh Maity, and the highlights of the last six months at the school.
How did the idea of a masterclass with Paresh Maity come about?
We aimed to provide students with a transformative experience — an extraordinary opportunity to engage with one of India’s most revered artists. The concept emerged as a distinct chance for these young minds to uncover and actualise their potential under the mentorship of a true master of artistry.
How did the session go?
It went off very well! Witnessing the children actively engage in interviewing him and posing numerous questions was truly inspiring. This experience instilled a newfound confidence in the students, enabling them to articulate their thoughts and inquire with poise to someone of considerable stature. A great moment was when the winners of the inter-house art contest received their prizes directly from Paresh Maity — an unforgettable moment for the children. The event seamlessly transitioned into an art workshop, where Paresh took the lead in imparting techniques, fostering confidence, and nurturing a genuine love for art among all participants.
What did you personally enjoy the most about the sessions?
It was so nice to witness his collaborative efforts with the children. His unwavering emphasis on prioritising the children’s experience left a lasting impression. It was evident in his actions, like foregoing a cup of coffee before the event just to extend his time with them. His dedication and focus on the children’s involvement made the sessions truly exceptional.
What about Paresh Maity is so endearing?
He is so attracted to nature, and it was so refreshing to see his perspective on things. Paresh Maity’s charm lies in the enchanting fusion of his artistic brilliance and genuine warmth. His art not only captures the essence of diverse subjects with vivid strokes but also reflects a deep emotional connection. Paresh Maity’s endearing quality is not just confined to his canvas; it extends to the way he engages with people. His affable nature and passion for his craft create a captivating aura that leaves a lasting impression on those who encounter his work or have the privilege of interacting with the artist himself. It is this unique blend of talent, sincerity, and approachability that makes Paresh Maity so truly endearing.
Who else do you have in mind for masterclasses?
Lots of more fun stuff in the pipeline! We want to give the students opportunities to speak with nutritionists, authors, sports figures and artists.
The school looks abuzz and happy. What have the last six months been like?
The past six months have been truly exceptional, creating a vibrant and happy atmosphere throughout the school. Our commitment to ‘beyond classroom learning’ has been evident through a series of diverse events that reflect our educational philosophy.We kicked off with a Science Fair, a platform for students to showcase their understanding of how the world works and the seamless integration of science into everyday life. The Robotics Exhibition followed, where students not only crafted 3D models addressing real-world problems but also delved into the mechanical programming of their bots.
Bringing experts from various fields into our school community has been a highlight. Renowned nutritionists, seasoned sports personalities, and accomplished artists have graced our campus, interacting with students to inspire and motivate. The excitement was very evident when we hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup trophy, accompanied by the trophy team. The tour aimed at promoting sportsmanship and encouraging young enthusiasts left an indelible mark on our students. In another thrilling encounter, our students engaged and played with international footballers from the prestigious Mohun Bagan team. This experience not only fascinated our students but also provided valuable insights into the fitness regimens and lifestyle choices of exceptional sportsmen.
Paresh Maity’s workshop encouraged children to adopt an artist’s mindset, fearlessly explore their creativity, and nurture their artistic talents.
Adding an entrepreneurial flair, our school is currently hosting a Kids Entrepreneurs Exhibition. This hands-on experience allows children to run their own businesses, selling products to customers and gaining practical insights into the world of entrepreneurship from a young age. The past six months have truly been a journey of exploration, inspiration, and hands-on learning for our school community.
The vision you had for the school, would you say it’s turned out exactly so?
Absolutely, the vision for the school has materialised into a reality that goes beyond expectations. Our aim was to cultivate a positive and vibrant environment that not only encourages but also nurtures learning and creativity. The happiness and excitement among the students as they eagerly come to school affirm that our vision aligns seamlessly with the mission we set out for the institution.
What’s in the pipeline this year?
A lot more! Up next, we have our annual Sports Day. Following that, we have our Annual School Production, a spectacular fusion of dance and drama woven together into a captivating play.