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Since the inception of Aakriti Art Gallery,
my visits to Kolkata have become more cheerful, and I would say more
meaningful also; as I look forward to see the works displayed in the
Gallery and meet the artist and critic friends in its premises. Thanks to
Vikram and Priya, and the energetic staff and ambience of the Gallery,
there is not a dull moment in the vicinity. One learns about the future
plans, listens intently to what has happened in the past few days, and
what is going to emerge in due course, in terms of exhibitions, catalogues
and publications- shares one's experiences viewing over and again the
works on the walls and floors; gets enthused, and likes to spend as much
time in the Gallery as one possibly can. The tea and snacks are offered
warmly to feel you at home, the ideas keep pouring; and thoughtful as well
as hurried discussions, keep us engaged.
In less than a year Aakriti has kept its promises, has fulfilled them, and
its new wing Sculpture Gallery having special programmed lighting, and
specially designed pedestals, is there to vouch for the fact Aakriti means
what it says. This definitely gives a pleasant feeling to all those, who
have been associated with it since the beginning. Aakriti was inaugurated
by celebrated artist K.G. Subramanyan; and well-wishers like painter Jogen
Chowdhury also graced the occasion. I feel honoured that I was given the
responsibility of curating the inaugural show for Sculpture Gallery. To
start with. Gallery organised a meeting of the local artists (Sculptors
specially) for me, where the Bon hommie persisted, and I got full support
from the old friends like Bipin Goswami, Bimal Kundu, Tarak Garai to
younger ones like Sujit Kumar Karan and others. It was heartening to note
that the sculpture scene in Kolkata is vibrant, innovative, and exploring
newer themes and materials. I was happy in presenting the new generation,
along with the older and better- known ones with the full support of
Aakriti and the warm response of our show, and the catalogue of
the show, got in art-circles throughout the country, will remain with us a
very pleasant memory. We presented works from the Kolkata and
Shantiniketan and from other art-centres like Vadodara, Varanasi, Lucknow,
Jammu and New Delhi. I believe the show was able to focus on the
sculptural scene, with an emphasis on Bengal, in a meaningful way. The
coverage the show got was also a proof that Aakriti had its point in
opening such a Gallery, in fact the very first one for the sculpture in
our country. Senior sculptor Nagji Patel, whom we fondly call Nagji Bhai,
was there to inaugurate the Gallery on 1 2' August, and has also
participated with two works in the show. The show was inaugurated by
eminent painter Ganesh Haloi. Nagji Bhai had especially come for the event
from Jaipur, where he was attending an artist camp. He had already heard
about Aakriti and the warm welcome he got from the Gallery and Kolkata
artists, was a sight to watch and rejoice. We were overwhelmed to find
that the inauguration was attended by about three hundred artists and
art-lovers.
I feel that I belong to
Kolkata, as I was born and brought up here, and my Kolkata connection has
remained somewhat intact I keep coming to Kolkata hence it gives me
immense pleasure, that with the opening of Aakriti, this connection has
been strengthened further. I have known Vikram since his childhood. He is
the youngest son of my dear friend Manik Bachhawat, himself a poet and a
writer on Art. I fondly remember that in his early teens, Vikram used to
stage plays in his ancestral house, with friends from the vicinity. He
would sell tickets, make all the arrangements for the staging of the plays
on the terrace and would keep chairs for the audience. I was among the
selected ones to whom he would come with the tickets, priced at
twenty-five paise. His organizational skills have blossomed fully and with
sincerity and complete transparency he has given Aakriti a profile, which
he can be truly proud of. He gives his opinions on different issues
humbly, yet assertively, and keeps himself open to discussions.
With good humour and
perceptive comments, he is able to make his point in a lively manner. His
true regard for art, artists, critics, art-lovers and art collectors has
earned him many friends. Supported by his elder brother Amitabh, he has
been able to set up the Sculpture Gallery in a most professional manner. So far the solo and group shows the Gallery has mounted have been
mostly curated ones. This again proves that the Gallery is conscious about
its role in presenting the art works properly.
I wish Aakriti all
success in the future as well.
--Mrinal Ghosh
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