Ratan Das and his 8-year-old son were keenly putting paints on a huge mask that looked like the bearers of Evil. Just beside them lay a big face of a laughing God. We had met these artisans from North Dinajpur a couple of years ago at a
In a sticky situation on a humid afternoon in a village just outside Murshidabad, an artisan is weaving a saree from fine cotton thread on his wooden loom. The clattering of the loom has been a part of his life since childhood and he learnt it
The Bengal Store help to showcase this tradition to the world
When the British first arrived in India, they had to adapt themselves to a lot of unfamiliar things, such as the climate, the blood sucking mosquitos, the spicy food, the language. But the one thing they couldn’t get used to was the stifling heat. Summer
We are all familiar with the famous clay dolls of Kathalia village in Murshidabad. The red-and-black striped dolls from this place have been crafted since ancient times. Among the many types of dolls made in Kathalia, the Gowalini doll (milkmaid), Ukuntolani doll (nitpicker), baby-oiling doll,
The light raindrops of Sraban fall to the ground, dancing with the push of the cool breeze. The cloud-laden afternoon has made the tranquil environment of Ballavpara Ferry Ghat in Katwa even more nostalgic. Passengers keep coming and going from the opposite bank to this side,
In a world so often entrenched in violence and discord, there exist a few individuals who illuminate lives with their righteous spirit, driven not by selfish motives but by a genuine desire to make the world a better place. Among these luminaries was Shyamali Khastagir of Santiniketan—a multifaceted
Reba Hore’s life was simple and work-filled . Born in Jessore, she later studied Economics in Kolkata. During that time, she became actively involved in the Communist movement. There could hardly be a better opportunity to observe society so closely. In 1948, she became a
“Atmasanskritirbarb Shilpani..” (Art is to cultivate one’s own soul) Abanindranath Thakur (7th August, 1871 – 5th December, 1951), was a pioneer artist of modern Indian art and was also a great master and a pillar of the Bengal School of Art. A favourite nephew of his
Handloom weaving is an ancient practice that has existed for thousands of years. Artefacts like spindles discovered at the Indus Valley Civilisation in India are suggestive of the practice. Every dynasty contributed to the distinctive styles and techniques that helped the craft develop. The art of