“Reality is, after all, too big for our frail understanding to fully comprehend. Nevertheless, we have to build our life on the theory which contains the maximum truth.” – Subhas Chandra Bose
“Netaji” Subhas Chandra Bose is undoubtedly one of the most prominent socio-political figures pan-India. He struggled and sacrificed his life not only for the liberation of India but also for the emancipation of all Asian peoples from colonial subjugation. There is no surprise that his 125th was widely celebrated all over the country, especially in West Bengal, where he is an emotional extravaganza.
But, this day attained a new epoch as “Free wings” remembered and rejuvenated this strategic sage and his legacy through their art exhibition “Swaraj” in Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, from 22nd to 26th of January, 2022. They also garlanded Sir Wasim Kapoor at the entrance as a symbol of gratitude.
Then as we move to the first corner of the exhibition, Subrata Das’s aesthetic depictions with resonant off-white and dark yellow figures bring a plot of peace in mind. They are followed by some blissful yet vagrant seascapes and landscapes. Through Sujit Kr. Basu’s abstractions in watercolor you’ll embrace the nature within you. As we move on, a petite masterpiece by Sri Samir Aich with its salient intimidation will make you halt for a while. The bold use of color and the surreal depiction make this one the most sounding.
Then the soft touch of sunshine in bi-cycle set in a suburb mood by Manas Roy and the metallic tribal soldier by Akhil Das just in front of it creates a contrasting theme in mind. Turn around and Swapan Kr. Saha’s portraitures in a tone-setting background with a unique texture you’ll find. The use of blue makes the light mellow at places.
They are then followed by abstract works with bindi and ink on paper by Partha Pratim Deb, which had some deep thought rooted within them. If you think that you’ve seen a lot, the second part of the show will surprise you a lot. The “Dusk” by Soma Banerjee will beautify your afternoon with its rusty yellow tone if you start from the left side.
There were several artworks by Sri Mihir Kayal, titled “Head” in acrylic and “She” in pen and ink. As he already has his patterns and forms in which he always likes to experiment, often expressing his art differently, Sri Kayal perfectly incorporates the thoughts the stories of our conscious and subconscious minds. The use of shadow develops the foreground, the eyes and lips share the mood, and the background sets the final platform.
Buy Mihir Kayal’s paintings here: The Bengal Craft
Beautiful abstract art and a landscape by Shahnaz Parveen are worth visiting here. As the tribal soldiers still follow you here, among them, you’ll discover another meaning of life, and then you’ll seek more to know as you witness the “Existence” by Sudip Naskar, the unique sculpture which I found here. Then if you are planning to end your exhibition tour shortly, the “Maya,” again by Sudip Naskar, will provoke you. The bold use of metallic color makes the artwork most illuminating. The perfect anatomical proportions make the painting more gallant. The theme with the golden head, “Maya Mriga,” will make anybody pause there for a moment. Now the next one by Subhankar Sinha, “Chakra” and “Nirvana,” both in mixed media, are two great depictions with the strings making the central themes more prominent as the dim blend of white and red along with the different colored chakras connects with the ultimate.
“The Forbidden City” by Rimzhim Sinha Dasgupta takes us to a different world where every step counts. The delicate blend of colors makes this art more fantasy-driven, but red in proper places, and the background reminds us that the city is forbidden. There were so many paintings on “Netaji” here, each with its values, “The Desired” by Sudipta Adhikary was one of them stalled at the last corner of the exhibition.
He has a unique style of applying the paint, which creates a different vibration in his paintings.
Read more: Jugal Sarkar: Emerging portrait artist of India
“The Sisters of Fate” and “Three witches” by Abira Banerjee depicted deeper emotions of mindset in a dusky theme. “The Blooming Heart and “The Sense and Realization” By Ruchira Majumder, Paul canvassed four girls with Netaji in the middle. Each girl has a different story and journey, but she beautifully connected them.
There were also some steel plate bird sculptures by Tapan Pathak and a notable tribal mask by Prosanta Kr. Basu and some still photographs by Mrinmoy Banerjee gathered attention. This team exhibited the artworks of around 25 eminent artists in total, each of them having ample space so that every painting could be distinguished and visualized correctly. Lastly, the “Free wings” not only showcased the famous artists but also set the platform for newcomers in the field of art, which made “Swaraj” blooming as they celebrated the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji with so much inspiration taken from his life, showing his journey perfectly which was much anticipated.
