13 January 2025/

PRABĀH 2025: A CELEBRATION OF ART AT SANTINIKETAN

PRABĀH 2025, the first Annual Art Exhibition of Kala Bhavan Praktoni, Santiniketan, showcases stunning paintings, sculptures and creative works by over 90 alumni artists from around the world. Inaugurated on January 8, 2025, at the Conference Room of the Academy of Fine Arts, the event was graced by esteemed guests of honor, Dr. Satyajit Bose, Chairman of Mission Hospital, and Sri. Ashok Mukherjee, Chairman of Sonodyne Technology Pvt Ltd, Kolkata, along with many eminent artists.

This year, SKBP organized the exhibition at the Academy of Fine Art, Kolkata, to bring the artworks of SKBP artists closer to both distinguished and general public viewers.

The exhibition turned into a mega event with the participation of about ninety artists, including three invited senior Kala Bhavan Praktoni artists—Ramananda Bandopadhyay, Partha Pratim Deb, and Jayshree Chakraborty—along with tributes to the legendary artists Late Dinkar Kowshik and Late K.G. Subramanyan.

Renowned artist Dr. Janak Jhankar Narzary, President of SKBP Santiniketan, highlighted the significance of this exhibition, emphasizing the transition from online exhibitions to a physical gallery setting. He expressed that the online exhibitions were a sincere attempt to expose artists and art producers to a wider audience of art lovers worldwide through contemporary electronic media. However, the physical exhibition allows viewers to experience the original artwork in its true essence.

“The graduates of Kala Bhavana of Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, formed the Santiniketan Kala Bhavan Praktoni (SKBP) in 2019, based on the principles of Rabindranath Tagore. The association aims to sow the seeds of fraternity among humanity through Kala Bhavana education and practice, upholding the spirit of friendship and love,” says renowned artist Dr. Janak Jhankar Narzary, President of SKBP Santiniketan.

TRIBUTE TO TWO LEGENDARY ARTISTS: LATE K.G. SUBRAMANYAN AND LATE DINKAR KOWSHIK

K.G. SUBRAMANYAN (1924-2016), an eminent artist, teacher and scholar, was born in Kerala. His artistic journey took a significant turn when he joined Kala Bhavan in Santiniketan in 1944, studying under pioneers like Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinkar Baij. He later became a lecturer at M.S. University in Vadodara and studied at the Slade School of Art in London. K.G. Subramanyan received numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He continued to teach at Kala Bhavan until his retirement in 1989 and was honored as Professor Emeritus of Visva Bharati.

DINKAR KOWSHIK (1918-2011), a pivotal figure in modern Indian art and education, was born in Karnataka. His formative years at Kala Bhavana under Nandalal Bose deeply influenced his artistic vision. Dinkar Kowshik’s career included significant roles at Delhi Polytechnic and Lucknow College of Arts & Crafts, and he served as Principal of Kala Bhavana from 1967 to 1977. He introduced the five-year BFA program and was honored with the Hon. Cansa Doctorate and the Aban-Gagan Award. Dinkar Kowshik remained an influential painter and advocate for progressive Indian art until his passing in 2011.

CELEBRATING ARTISTIC LEGACY

Many renowned artists, including Janak Jhankar Narzary, Abesh Bivore Mitra, Aditi Roy, Amit Kumar Dhara, Malavika Mandal Andrew, Ramananda Bandopadhyay, Partha Pratim Deb, Manoj Sarkar, Haren Thakur, A. M. Banerjee, Nanda Dulal Mukherjee, Soumitra Chatterjee, Jayashree Chakraborty, Parag Roy, Jaya Boro, Santanu Chakraborty, and many more, are participating in the show, which is on display until January 15, 2025.