A new exhibition in Begaluru’s KYNKYNY Art Gallery takes one on a journey through Kolkata-based artist Avijit Dutta’s spellbinding worlds tipping into a sea of memory, fantasy and thought. In a one-of-a-kind event, the art will first be displayed at the 100-year heritage home of physicist Sir C.V. Raman in Malleshwaram area of the city on June 22-23, and will then go on view at KYNKYNY from June 25 to July 19.
Dutta primarily works in tempera and watercolours, and thanks his mother for awakening his interest in art. He obtained a Bachelor of Visual Art in Painting from Rabindra Bharati University in 2001. Recognised for his watercolour expertise, he won the Best Work in Watercolour award for 1995-1996 from the Academy of Fine Arts. Dutta encountered the life and works of the Nobel Laureate, and the bungalow where he lived, when he was invited to create a commemorative stamp celebrating the 75th year of the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru. Many of the works that he created after returning home to Kolkata, were inspired by this project.
Postage stamp — Artwork created by Avijit Dutta. Photo: Arranged by the author
A seven minute long film called “My city, my mother” will be screened every 30 minutes throughout the exhibition. This film focuses on the charming world of Avijit Dutta and marks the third film collaboration between Vivek Radhakrishnan, co-founder of KYNKYNY Art Gallery, and filmmaker Manush John. Their goal was to capture the deep relationship between the artist and his beloved hometown. “Avijit’s art is full of mystery and profound narratives, often leaving viewers with more questions than answers. This was a sentiment we wanted our viewers to feel. We also wanted to explore how Kolkata influences his complex and intricate work. There is a strong sense of nostalgia and discomfort that he feels about how his city is changing, and the film showcases how he brings stories and objects from the past into his artistic present,” said Radhakrishnan.
In this exclusive interview, the artist talks to The Wire about how this exhibition was conceptualised, his biggest artistic inspirations and some recurring themes in his works.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
The Revisiting presents your new and previously unseen tempera paintings that explore the nebulous nature of memory, imagination and time. Please elaborate.
Most of the paintings in The Revisiting encompass current works across various media, not solely tempera. Art takes viewers on a journey that traverses backward and forward in time, and even into a future yet to unfold, depending on individual senses and imagination. Memory and what one retains from those stored memories play an integral role, fluid and almost borderless as one navigates through layers, phases and time zones. Senses capture fragments here and there, these inner flashes manifesting in diverse ways and interpretations, shaped by the perspectives of those viewing the artwork.
Ephemeral reveries by Avijit Dutta. Photo: Arranged by the author
The starting point for this show was a postage stamp that you were invited to create, to commemorate the platinum jubilee of the Raman Research Institute, which led you to Bengaluru where you delved into Raman’s life and work. Tell us more.
Vivek Radhakrishnan reached out to me last year to submit an entry for a new postage stamp to commemorate the Raman Research Institute’s platinum jubilee. Sir C.V. Raman’s entire life has been an inspiration, from his days in Madras to his eventual move to Kolkata. This was a wonderful opportunity for me, and I felt there should be a Bengal connection.
After some research and a trip to Bengaluru, I visited the Raman Research Institute and experienced Sir C.V. Raman’s intimate collection, an opportunity that would not have been possible otherwise. We also visited Panchavati, his home where he lived until he passed away. Strangely, this experience sparked discussions with Vivek Radhakrishnan about a solo exhibition with KYNKYNY Art Gallery that seemed destined to follow.
It has been an absolute honour to create artwork for the postage stamp to celebrate such a distinguished personality. I worked on the design and composition, providing a few options and was humbled that my artwork was selected as the final choice for the stamp. Of course, I kept the Raman Research Institute and the image of Sir C.V. Raman as my focal point.
The exhibition will open at the beautiful 100-year-old heritage home of the Nobel Prize winning physicist. Tell us more about the house.
Panchavati, the home of Sir C.V. Raman, is a beautiful abode where science and nature seem to coexist. The architecture is inspiring, and the lush green landscape offers a rare oasis in Bengaluru, which still manages to have some green patches. Such places are a haven for creative individuals. One cannot visit and not be moved by the legacy, history and the general positive natural vibe this place exudes. It was thus decided that opening the show at Sir C.V. Raman’s home would be an ideal and innovative choice for the venue.
Who or what are some of your biggest artistic inspirations?
My greatest artistic inspiration undoubtedly stems from my city, especially North Kolkata, which serves as a daily wellspring of triggers for me—its sights, smells, rich history and unique character.
Vintage, old-world framing, nature, yearning and nostalgia are some of the recurring themes in your work. Tell us more about this.
As human beings, yearning and nostalgia are elemental aspects of our existence. We all long for a past that is long gone, and we dream or imagine an uncertain future while navigating the present in our own unique ways. Growing up in an old city that has so much history, my mind and heart have always been drawn to old things —what some might call vintage. Even discarded relics are often treasures to me. It’s almost an obsession to pause in my tracks, pick up something old and carry it back with me. This subconscious impulse manifests in my artistic expressions, where you’ll find me channeling these sentiments into my work.
The lost whispers by Avijit Dutta. Photo: Arranged by the author
What are you working on next?
Let that be a well-kept secret until the time is right to let you know.
The Revisiting is on view at the heritage home of physicist Sir C.V. Raman in Malleshwaram, Bangalore on the opening weekend, June 22-23, 11am to 6pm. Thereafter, it will move to KYNKYNY Art Gallery on display from June 25 to July 19.
Neha Kirpal is a freelance journalist.
