Top Left: On display, tri-headed mask an incarnation of Mahiraban, brother of the demon king Ravan. He features in the epic Ramayana, one of the oldest epilogues in Indian history. Top Right: Neishaa Gharat, Designer and Ambassador Biswa Bangla UK with Shankar Das and Suman Chitraker; surrounding them are their unique art and craft forms that they brought over from West Bengal.
This week saw the launch of the Gods and Demons exhibition, introducing the beautifully powerful heritage arts and crafts of West Bengal to the dynamic city of London. A project made possible by the West Bengal government initiative Biswa Bangla and the Rural Craft and Culture Hubs, in collaboration with the Nehru Centre, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in London, where the exhibition was held. The exhibition was a platform for promoting the heritage arts and crafts of West Bengal, sharing the captivating stories of the Gods and Demons of India, with the cultural hub that is London. Gods and Demons garnered attraction from people all over London; people looking for an introduction to these unique art forms as well as those who from Bengal, were looking for a little piece of home.
The exhibition was launched by a cultural night of performances and talks. The event drew attraction amongst prominent individuals from the British Indians community, as well as a mix of international craft patrons and a diverse audience of influential figures in the art world; all of whom enjoyed admiring the wonderful works as they were immersed in the arts and crafts of Bengal.
Top Left: Shri. Srinivas Gotru, Director of the Nehru Centre, London lighting the inaugural lamp at the Biswa Bangla Gods and Demons exhibition opening reception. Top Right: Virander Paul, Deputy High Commissioner of India in London lit the lamp at the opening reception and shared a sense of pride about the work that Biswa Bangla are doing. Bottom Left: Neishaa Gharat, designer and ambassador for Biswa Bangla UK, spoke about her passion for the arts and crafts for Bengal and the aims of Biswa Bangla sharing the stage with the artists. Bottom Centre: Lopa Patel, founder of the Asian Power Couples list opening the evening with her key note. Bottom Right: John Bell, former chairman of the British Guild of Travel Writers and a consultant for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, spoke about his experience visiting the Rural Craft and Culture hubs and of the good work Biswa Bangla is doing in West Bengal.
John Bell, former chairmen of the British Guild of Travel Writers and a consultant for the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, delivered a superb key note speech. John started his career with the BBC in London, producing and reporting for its travel and transport programmes on radio and television. Having visited the artisans in the villages in February earlier this year and experienced the work that Biswa Bangla are doing first hand, it was fabulous to see someone so integral to the world of writing, enthusiastic and on board with the work that Biswa Bangla is doing. Bell’s words resonate with the heart of the purpose of the initiative; “The work is not just a question of design, its jobs and poverty […] this beautiful art is not just beautiful art, its beautiful art for good […] the more we trade, the more we work, the more work we give to our friends (Shankar Das and Suman Chitraker) here, the more we are doing for the people of West Bengal and doing good for ourselves.”
Left: Ali Pretty, Artistic Director, Kinetika unveiled the Reimagine India, Silk River project and her collaboration with Neishaa Gharat. The Silk River scrolls were on display and generated great interest. Right: The invitation-only opening reception co-hosted by the Asian Power Couples List was a triumphant evening that saw over 200 guests experience the mystical arts and crafts of West Bengal in a intimate setting at the Nehru Centre, London
The initial buzz of the opening reception continued on through the guided tours during the course of the exhibition. Individuals from art galleries, the press and online cultural magazines as well as craft enthusiasts and young families all enjoyed learning more about the remarkably individual pieces that adorned the walls of the Nehru centre. Throughout the week the presence of two artisans have enriched the atmosphere of the exhibition, as well as provide a contextual background to the essence and heart of the arts and crafts. Over the week it has been wonderful to watch Shankar Das transform a single block of wood into a beautifully formed depiction of the Goddess Durga. Suman Chitrakar has been magnificent in performing his traditional songs for those lucky enough to see his work. Their demonstrations provided an atmospheric backdrop to the stories and tales surrounding the powerful pieces that made up the exhibition.
Top Row: An eclectic mix of guests graced the evening: Rupa Ganatra – Entreprenuer and Founder Millenial2020, Stefan Lubomirski de; Vaux – Photographer & Fedster; Shuchita Sonalika – Director CII UK Bottom Left: The event garnered attention from many people among the creative community. Susan Muncey, Editor of Visuology magazine and Suman Chitrakar displaying one of his unique Kalighat paintings. Bottom Centre: Ali Pretty’s artistic vision on display the Silk River scrolls co-created in London and Kolkatta telling the stories of the 2 rivers. Bottom Right: Guests enjoyed and experienced the mystical arts and crafts of West Bengal.
Jasmine Pepler, held private guided tours throughout the week. People were enthusiastic about learning of the rich history and mythology behind the masks and paintings. Left: Jenny Balfour-Paul, Indigo expert, author, artist, traveller and lecturer speaking with Neishaa Gharat about her keen interest in the crafts of West Bengal and her love for the singing traditions of Patachitra. Centre: Neishaa Gharat and Anshu Bahanda, Art Buyer, Promoter and Founder Aabru art featured next to the powerful clay idol of the Goddess Durga. Her beauty and power radiated through many of the masks in the exhibition. Right: Rupanjana Dutta, Associate Editor of Asian Business Publications Ltd., visited the Gods and Demons of Bengal. Suman Chitrakar and Shankar Das enriched the exhibition by giving live demonstrations throughout the week.
Biswa Bangla believes that there is a keen appreciation for Bengal arts and crafts in the modern global community and the collaboration between London and West Bengal can really help make a difference for the lives of artisans, just like Suman Chitrakar and Shankar Das. The essence of Biswa Bangla is summed up perfectly by Neishaa Gharat, ambassador for Biswa Bangla in the UK; “As a designer, I am passionate about the future of ‘making’ in a globalised world. We have only begun to scratch the surface of the potential of collaborating traditional skills with modern perception, and cross cultural engagement. My role at Biswa Bangla is this fascinating journey of discovery and reinterpretation of traditional craft skills by engaging with both designers and enthusiasts.”
Above: Demonstrating their craft. Patachitra artist, Suman Chitrakar, paints using colours he made using only natural materials. These natural colours are what give the patachitra such a bold, vibrant and distinct finish. His paintings tell the stories of the lives of Hindu deities, tales of Indian mythology as well as the everyday lives of native tribal people.
The Gods and Demons of Bengal have unapologetically announced their place in the UK art world and as the exhibition comes to a close after a fantastic week in London, Biswa Bangla is excited about taking it further afield. A collection like this has not been seen before in Scotland and we are thrilled to be introducing the unique, and quite beautiful work, of West Bengal to Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Edinburgh Museum, is home to spectacular collections of decorative art, where we will be sharing the arts and crafts through live demonstrations and workshops. We will then continue on to Glasgow, and are fortunate enough to be a part of the opening weekend of the Southside Fringe Festival in Glasgow, hosted by ArtVillage.
Above: Demonstrating their craft. Kushmundi mask maker, Shankar Das, hand carves and paints each of his masks. They are individual but also as equally encapturing. Shankar carves a mask of the Goddess Durga, showing where each of his captivating creations begin; a single block of wood.
MSME and textiles secretary, Mr Rajiva Sinha puts it quite simply, “The Biswa Bangla tagline ‘Where the world meets Bengal’ says it all. The most exciting parts of the events are the live shows by artisans Suman Chitrakar and Shankar Das.” Biswa Bangla are rising to their tagline, where the world meets Bengal, sharing and promoting the rich cultural heritage of their state throughout the world.
Above: After a glorious week in London the artists held live demonstrations and workshops at Museum of Edinburgh and at the opening weekend of the Southside Fringe festival at Art Village in Glasgow.
Words: Jasmine Pepler
Images: Edwin Leung
To keep the beautiful spirit of the London exhibition alive we have created a visual archive of the exhibits so that you can relive the beauty of the arts and crafts.