Reviving Bat-tala: From 19th-century woodcuts to contemporary masterpieces
The Statesman|December 22, 2024
This winter, Kolkata has warmed up to a vibrant revival of distinctive woodcut prints also known as Bat-tala paintings, reimagined by a host of contemporary artists.
ANWESHA SANTRA

Art Magnum, in partnership with the Birla Academy of Art and Culture, has organised an exhibition titled "Tribute to Bat-tala: The Tradition of Bat-tala & Other Practices by the Printmakers" as part of the Bengal Biennale 2024. Curated by renowned art historian Ina Puri, the exhibition celebrates the legacy of 19th-century Bat-tala woodcut prints while showcasing contemporary interpretations by innovative printmakers.

Featuring works that blend traditional craftsmanship with experimental techniques, this exhibition connects the historical significance of Bat-tala with the evolving practices of modern printmaking. Scholarly contributions from Soumik Nandy Majumdar, featured in their published magazine, and collector Sanjeet Chowdhury, offer viewers profound insights into the art form's enduring significance. Co-curators Ananda Moy Banerji, Dattatreya Apte and Sushanta Guha have also contributed to this display, which underlines Kolkata's prominence in the global art scene.

Mediums like intaglio, lithography, linocut, sunmica etching, monoprints and intaglio on board have been used in the paintings exhibited at the display.

"Artists were invited to explore possibilities of hand-painted wood block prints and relate to the technical, conceptual perspectives through the lens of contemporary times. Included herein are traditional and experimental practices, from pure brush painted woodcut to digital improvisation," says curator Ina Puri.

The exhibition also features woodcut paintings on canvas adorned with gold, silver and copper leaf. One of the paintings offers a heartfelt social commentary, calling for justice for Tilottama, the trainee doctor brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, in the early hours of 9 August this year.

Denne historien er fra December 22, 2024-utgaven av The Statesman.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 22, 2024-utgaven av The Statesman.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE STATESMANSe alt
The Statesman

Reviving Bat-tala: From 19th-century woodcuts to contemporary masterpieces

This winter, Kolkata has warmed up to a vibrant revival of distinctive woodcut prints also known as Bat-tala paintings, reimagined by a host of contemporary artists.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Resuscitating Calcutta's soul: The Place 1860-by Namring delights 'cha' lovers
The Statesman

Resuscitating Calcutta's soul: The Place 1860-by Namring delights 'cha' lovers

As the winter sets in firmly in Calcutta and the temperature drops, apart from taking out the colourful sweaters and winter wear from the 'almirah', the only thing that can keep the soul of Calcuttans warm is a cup of freshly brewed tea.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Empowering women through literature
The Statesman

Empowering women through literature

Empowerment is a cornerstone for enabling women to realize their full potential, make informed decisions, and actively participate in all aspects of society.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
The Statesman

Indian Army and friends in distant lands

Over the past decade we have become increasingly familiar with the term Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR, which is essentially corporations' way of connecting with the community living in the vicinities in which they set up businesses.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 22, 2024
The Statesman

An excerpt from the book General's Jottings: National Security, Conflicts & Strategies by Lt Gen. (Retd) KJ SINGH

Pakistan has added two light Divisions equipped with sophisticated equipment and other dual use capabilities in the garb of CPEC.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Curzon's cuts
The Statesman

Curzon's cuts

Think of Lord Curzon, and the first thing that flashes in your mind is the 1905 Bengal Partition. Bengal burnt, and King George V had to personally come to India in 1911 to annul the Partition and transfer the capital to Delhi.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 22, 2024
The Statesman

Trinamul Congress leader found dead at a hotel in Bengal's Mandarmani

A Trinamul Congress leader was found dead at a hotel at the Mandarmani sea resort in West Bengal's East Midnapore district on Saturday morning, triggering tension in the area. The hotel authorities immediately informed the local police and a police team reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for a post-mortem examination.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
School job case: Charge framing at special PMLA court in Kolkata likely on Monday
The Statesman

School job case: Charge framing at special PMLA court in Kolkata likely on Monday

The process of framing of charges in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal is expected to be completed at a special court of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata on 23 December.

time-read
1 min  |
December 22, 2024
BJP Organises protests Over recent attacks On Hindu places Of Worship in Bangladesh
The Statesman

BJP Organises protests Over recent attacks On Hindu places Of Worship in Bangladesh

In the past 48 hours, there have been reports Of attacks On at least three temples Of Bangladesh, resulting in the vandalism Of eight idols

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024
Record rice procurement fixed for Birbhum district by state govt
The Statesman

Record rice procurement fixed for Birbhum district by state govt

The target for paddy procurement in Birbhum district this year has been fixed at 4,80,000 metric tonnes.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 22, 2024