A Gold Tribute: Kolkata’s ghats were brought into life in Durga Puja pandal in collaboration with French-Bengali art

In a unique mixture of art, culture and history, French artist Thomas Henrat has collaborated with Bengali artist Tapas Dutta, one of the most popular Durga Puja pandals in North Kolkata, to create 22FTX7FT artwork depicting the Ganges river ghats in Hatibagan Sarboozinin.

The artwork was designed using Golden Threads, which worked to complete two years of research and work, with a historical site for Durga’s idols in Bagbazar Basu Bati Palace, which is taken for immersion in the Ganges after the celebration. “It was one of the most important Durga Pujas in Kolkata. It is a beautiful blend of history, culture and architecture. It is my tribute to Kolkata,” said Mr. Henrat, who has been visiting the city for the last 20 years.

The French artist said that the use of Golden Threads was a “conscious option” to pay tribute to the silk route crossing the Indian subcontinent. This is the first time such artwork is being unveiled to the public in Kolkata and will be displayed at places across India and Europe. He initially made a painting of the 19th century palace, which was then translated into a cloth medium and repeated using gold thread. He took inspiration from the rich history and architecture of the city to create artwork.

Sri Henrit – who studied art at Ecole Des Bux Arts de Besanacon in France and lives in Rio de Janeiro, Havana and Paris – collaborates with artists around the world. He is known for artwork using ink on Japanese rice paper scroll which is 45 cm wide and up to 25 meters long.

‘Display real glory’

“People talk about the ghats of Banaras; they are very popular. But our ghats are equally beautiful and historical. I want people to see these ghats in their real glory.

Mr. Dutta aims to put a spotlight on the ghats of Kolkata through a series of paintings, a project that will facilitate collaboration with four artists from the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the organizers of Hatibagan Sarabozanin Durga Puja Pandal said that they chose the subject due to the proximity of the area of ​​some of the oldest ghats in the Ganges. “Our heritage and history is associated with the history of the Ghat,” said one of the organizers.

This cooperation is not the first of its kind in Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. Last year, Irish artists Lisa Sweeny and Richard Babington collaborated with Bengali artist Sanjeeb Saha to make a unique mixture of Goddess Durga and Irish Devi Danu at Bhal Nutan Dal Durga Puja Pandal in South Kolkata. It was built for 75 years of the diplomatic relations of India-Ayland.