From Left To Right – Mrs Reena Dewan, Chairperson, B-CAF, President, WBALC WICCI; Mr Kevin Goh, Deputy Consul-General, Consulate of Australia in Kolkata, India; Prof. Asok Kanti Sanyal, Treasurer(Acting), The Asiatic Society, Kolkata; Prof.Swapan Kumar Pramanick, President, The Asiatic Society; Ms Ruby Palchaudhuri, Art leader, Advisor and the President Emeritus, Craft Council of West Bengal Dr Satyabrat Chrakrabatri, General Secretary. The Asiatic Society;
News Stardom : kolkata, 9th. August, 2023. The ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples’at The Asiatic Society, Kolkata Rajendralala Mitra Bhavan CL-24, CL Block, Block CL, Sector II, Bidhannagar, Salt Lake Kolkata, West Bengal, 700091
by Prof. Swapan Kumar Pramanick, President, The Asiatic Society, Kolkata
Dr. Satyabrata Chakrabarti, General Secretary, The Asiatic Society, Kolkata
Prof. Asok Kanti Sanyal, Treasurer( Acting), The Asiatic Society, Kolkata Ms Reena Dewan, Chairperson, B-CAF & President WBALC WICCI Ms Ruby Palchaudhuri, President Emeritus, Craft Council of West Bengal Mr Kevin Goh, Deputy Consul-General, Consulate of Australia in Kolkata Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the captivating Patachitra paintings daily from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Asiatic Society, Kolkata Rajendralala Mitra Bhavan, from 9th August to 14th August (Sunday closed). The event is open to all, offering a unique chance to experience the rich mythology and life of indigenous communities through these captivating artworks.
(The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, observed on August 9th annually, is a global initiative that honours the rich cultural diversity, histories, and invaluable contributions of indigenous communities worldwide. This significant day serves as a reminder to protect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples, preserving their unique heritage and fostering understanding and respect among all cultures.)
About the Project
In the village of Bharatpur, situated at the foothill of Susunia Hill in Bankura, West Bengal, a community of skilled artisans practices the ancient art form of Patachitra. This unique art style is deeply rooted in tribal stories, passed down through generations, reflecting the cultural heritage and folklores of the indigenous people. However, when B-CAF and WICCI team visited Bharatpur for the first time, we found that the artisans of Bharatpur face numerous challenges,
including economic difficulties and marginalization, which is threatening the continuity of their cherished cultural heritage including practice of using organic colors.
Recognizing the significance of preserving this remarkable art form, tribal stories and tradition of usage of organic colours B-CAF started doing research work and planning development programs for the artisans simultaneously.
Through meticulous research and field surveys, B-CAF identified the pressing issues faced by the community. The foundation discovered that the artisans’ economic conditions were challenging, hindering their ability to sustain their artistic practice. Moreover, the traditional use of organic colors, intrinsic to Patachitra, faded over time due to the availability and preference for easily available synthetic alternatives. To address these issues, B-CAF organized capacity-building programs, workshops, and art residency programs, aiming to uplift the economic status of the artisans and reintroduce the use of organic colors.
Collaborating with esteemed institutions like the Botanical Survey of India, we successfully revived the practice of painting with organic colors, restoring the authentic essence of Patachitra. This remarkable accomplishment serves as a valuable documentation of cultural heritage, ensuring that the captivating stories and artistry of indigenous communities remain alive and cherished for generations to come.
“The art of Patachitra painting passed down through generations, lacks a formal school or systematic preservation, leading to the loss of some precious artworks over time. However, thanks to the collaboration with distinguished art historians and the relentless research efforts of B-CAF’s team, a significant milestone has been achieved. We successfully got the entire series of Patachitra paintings created in organic colours while working closely with patuas including the ones that were lost over time” Ms Reena Dewan, Chairperson B-CAF and President WBALC WICCI quoted.
“We are elated to be part of this outstanding endeavour, it is surreal that in a span of 18 months this herculean task could be achieved. I am looking forward to WICCI’s role in bringing forth the women artisans. Ms Paromita Ghosh, Director
Candid Communications and Vice-President WBALC WICCI quoted.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Dr. Satyabrata Chakrabarti, General Secretary, The Asiatic Society, Kolkata quoted.
ABOUT The Asiatic Society, Kolkata
https://www.asiaticsocietykolkata.org/histoy
ABOUT B-CAF
The exhibition is an outcome of a Research-Based Project Initiated By B-CAF, which is a not-for-profit foundation, that has been working diligently since 2021 to bridge the gap between artists, remote communities and urban populations. With a vision to make arts and culture enablers of change and a mission to foster social inclusion, economic growth, and inclusive education, B-CAF has embarked on a transformative journey to revive and preserve indigenous art forms. For further information, please contact: Bridging Culture and Arts Foundation(B-CAF)
Email: bcaf.org@gmail.com
ABOUT WICCI
Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI) is a premier National Business Chamber for Women envisioning Global Impact for Women Entrepreneurs, Businesswomen and Professionals from all walks of life.
Supported by the massive global and influential women’s networks viz. G100, ALL Ladies League (ALL), Women Economic Forum (WEF) and SHEconomy, with 500,000 members and industry leaders worldwide, WICCI drives fundamental changes in governmental policies, laws, incentives and entrepreneurial ecosystems, with a view to robustly encourage and empower women in business, industry and commerce across all sectors and fields.
[09/08, 19:21] Gopal Chandra Debnath: From Left To Right – Mrs Reena Dewan, Chairperson, B-CAF, President, WBALC WICCI; Mr Kevin Goh, Deputy Consul-General, Consulate of Australia in Kolkata, India; Prof. Asok Kanti Sanyal, Treasurer(Acting), The Asiatic Society, Kolkata; Prof.Swapan Kumar Pramanick, President, The Asiatic Society; Ms Ruby Palchaudhuri, Art leader, Advisor and the President Emeritus, Craft Council of West Bengal Dr Satyabrat Chrakrabatri, General Secretary. The Asiatic Society;
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