Whistling all the way, Alakananda Mukherjee of Kuhurab presented a medley of Rabindrasangeet, Nazrulgeeti, Rajanikanta and Atulprasad along with popular Hindi numbers on a Sunday morning at Gorky Sadan. The effect was mindblowing. While the Rabindrasangeet numbers including Dhanilo aobhano, Aakash jure suninu and Tai tomar anando amar por reflected a wide range, Ekbar gaal bhara ma daake (Dwijendrageeti), Tumi arupo swarupo (Rajanikanta), Sansare jodi nahi pai shaara (Atulprasad) comprised elements of devotion, which Mukherjee ably expressed through her whistling skill. Though the artist’s renditions were bereft of beats or rhythm, they were delightful because of their sheer melodious range.
Saheli Mitra
An exhibition of paintings titled Colours on Canvas at the Kanishka Gallery was evidently bereft of any curatorial concept. Most of the works, acrylic paints on canvas, had pretty women as their theme. However, Suman Roy’s Christ once again revealed his obsession with Jesus as a theme. Manoj Dutta’s vase full of flowers and birds all around in pastel was handled sensitively. In K. Murlidharan’s earthen pitcher, the arrows were unwarranted. Sanatan Dinda’s portrait of a middle-aged mother with vermilion powder on her hair and forehead strongly reminded one of Bikash Bhattacharya’s style. On the other hand, Ashoke Mullick’s lady with a mask delienated the duality of identity.
Sandip Sarkar
Vibrant slices of life — that’s what the striking photographs by Raisa Fatima Anuva of Bangladesh on display at Gaganendra Pradarshashala seem to offer. The photographs, taken in a digital self-propelled camera, reflect a range of themes. Anuva, surprisingly young to hold a solo exhibition, evidently has another way of seeing. One of her shots which freezes the skyline of an urban, concrete jungle draws attention because of her intelligent use of top light. What makes the composition yet more complete is the image of a bird seeking an escape route from the concrete jungle towards the sky. The monochromatic effect further adds a punch to the frame. Images of Victoria Memorial along with striking portraits deserve mention.
Sunil K. Dutt
