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Time of India
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
All Bengal painting exhibition ‘Stroke by Stroke' unveils vivid narratives at Academy of Fine Arts
A vibrant celebration of youthful creativity is on display this week at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata, where the All Bengal Painting Exhibition, titled 'Stroke by Stroke', has drawn attention from art enthusiasts and cultural patrons alike. Held from July 11 to 17, the exhibition showcases 98 artworks created by emerging artists—students from across Bengal—offering a kaleidoscope of perspectives through styles ranging from abstract and surreal to traditional and figurative. The exhibition provides a compelling look into the minds of the next generation of artists, as each piece resonates with emotion, introspection, and storytelling. The event opened with an inauguration ceremony attended by several notable figures in the art and cultural community. Among them were Shri Mrinal Ghosh, a respected art critic; Shri Subrata Gangopadhyay, a celebrated artist; Shri Anindya Pandit, Head of the Department of Fine Arts at Rabindra Bharati University; and acclaimed actor Chandan Sen. Their presence underscored the significance of the platform as a space for nurturing artistic talent and cultural expression. The exhibition has been lauded not only for the quality of artwork but also for its role in fostering regional talent and promoting visual dialogue across generations. Visitors have praised the diversity of styles and themes, as well as the emotional depth captured by the young artists. As the exhibition concludes today, 'Stroke by Stroke' leaves behind more than just painted canvases—it leaves a lasting impression of passion, innovation, and the power of art to transcend boundaries.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
From delivering food to delivering dialogues, the stages in the life of a woman theatre artiste from Kolkata
Sangita Sarkar left Kolkata shortly after the pandemic and now she has returned — only that, back then, she was delivering food for Zomato during the lockdown, and now she is directing a play. For her, the bridge between the two phases was the National School of Drama (NSD). 'I was already a theatre artiste when I joined Zomato. I had graduated from Rabindra Bharati University and was part of the theatre group Bohurupee. I joined Zomato during the lockdown mainly to observe people closely and improve my acting skills, and also to make some money to help those who relied entirely on theatre for a living,' Ms. Sarkar, who has been an actor but is directing a play for the first time, told The Hindu. Titled Moonlight, the play is an adaptation of veteran Marathi playwright Mahesh Elkunchwar's work Sonata, and being staged on the evening of July 1 at the Tapan theatre in Kalighat. It's about three women, single by choice, living together, and the friendship and the trust between them, Ms. Sarkar said. Also read:Thespians hail renaming Kolkata's Star Theatre after Binodini Dasi as historic, yet futile Ms. Sarkar says she was still in school when she first contacted the NSD, hoping that she would get to relocate from one school to another, only to be told that she needed to be a graduate in order to apply for admission. That's when she took up theatre and drama at Kolkata's Rabindra Bharati University. In 2019, she applied for a seat in NSD, and months later came COVID-19. 'That's one period I don't want to think about, and yet I cannot ever forget it. That was a time when people could not reach people, they were imprisoned in their homes. I still remember the anxiety of people stationed abroad, who would order food for elderly parents living in Kolkata. I always believed that no job is lowly and the pandemic proved it. Those delivering food may be considered at the bottom of the social pyramid but back then, they were as important as doctors,' Ms. Sarkar said. The resident of Belgharia spent about six months working for Zomato in the early part of 2021, getting a valuable opportunity for human interactions, something that was otherwise missing at the time. 'When a delivery person walks into a restaurant and when a customer walks in — the way they are treated is so different. Only once, when it was raining, did a restaurant owner ask me to wait inside and offered me tea, and asked me if I had eaten. That's one gesture I can never forget,' Ms. Sarkar said. By early 2022, she had joined the NSD, and that experience, like her work for Zomato, turned out to be an insight into human behaviour. 'The NSD broadened my horizons. It made me rich. Once you are there, you rise above caste, language, religion. A place like that makes you wonder why people indulge in violence, why there are wars in the first place,' the artiste said. She recollected her most memorable moment at Zomato, and how it connected to her life as an artiste. 'Once when I rang the bell, the door was opened by a very young girl. She was surprised to see that a woman had come to deliver food on a scooter. Her look was that of amazement and admiration. I can never forget that. In fact, in NSD, we were once asked to perform a 'happy moment' scene, and I borrowed a T-shirt from a Zomato boy to recreate my encounter with this young girl,' Ms. Sarkar said.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
UG admission portal opens at 10 am today to fill 9 lakh seats
Kolkata: The centralised undergraduate admission portal, inaugurated by education minister Bratya Basu on Tuesday, will start receiving applications from 10 am on Wednesday for nine lakh seats across 460 colleges and 17 universities in Bengal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Minority and autonomous institutes as well as unitary universities, such as Presidency University and Jadavpur University, are not under the centralised portal. BEd and fine and performing arts courses at Rabindra Bharati University are excluded, too. Hours before the Calcutta High Court stayed a gazette notification on OBC, including 140 subgroups, 80 among which are Muslims, till July 31, Basu told reporters the OBC-related case at the HC would not affect admissions. "There will be no impact. Should agricultural work stop because of predictions of drought or heavy rain? We will continue our work. If there is any instruction, we will take emergency measures," he said. Another official, too, urged students to go ahead with admissions. Each candidate can apply for 25 programmes or courses at one or multiple institutes in the state. The last date for applications is July 1, the first merit list will be published on July 6, and the first round of admissions will be held between July 6 and July 12. No application fee will be required, and students from any part of the country can apply. Basu said, "Last year, more than 4.4 lakh students took admission through this portal. The system ensures a transparent, systematic and easy-to-access process. Candidates can opt for courses and institutes of their choice on this single-window platform. It stops students from taking multiple admissions at the same time. A chatbot, 'Bina', will help candidates navigate through the process." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Once the merit list is published, students can book a seat, which can be upgraded in the next round, subject to seat vacancy and merit position. Applicants can keep tabs on their status on a dashboard. Candidates will pay once through the portal while taking provisional admission. "But they may have to pay extra if they go in for a seat upgrade, depending on the institute fee," said an official. "Eligible applicants will be notified via SMS and email. " On the delay in the opening of the admission portal and apprehensions about filling seats, Basu said, "Admissions were stalled due to the OBC-reservation issue. But once the backward classes welfare department published the gazette notification, we opened the portal in seven days. We are on a par with the UGC timeline. We plan to rationalise seats—increase seats for subjects in demand and at colleges, where the rush is more. "
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On Tagore's birth anniversary, Mamata lauds armed forces protecting India
Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday heaped praises on the Indian armed forces for fearlessly protecting the country's frontiers. Speaking on the occasion of the 164th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Banerjee said the country is praying for the well-being of its soldiers and the people. "We are praying for the well-being of the people of this country and our motherland," she said. The CM, after garlanding a giant portrait of Tagore in the Rabindra Sadan-Nandan cultural complex, described the Nobel laureate as the person whose songs "give us solace and guide us through every moment". Banerjee referred to Tagore's love for the motherland, which was reflected in his poems, fiction and articles. "His ideals will dispel the dark clouds and ward off the dark threats," Banerjee said while observing that Tagore symbolised universal brotherhood and humanity through his writings, she said. She called upon everyone to work to nurture and cherish their mother tongue. "We should keep the writings and teachings of Tagore throughout the year and not for one day," she said. Pointing out "every state has its unique culture", she said, "We must protect our language heritage and culture." She said Tagore's works have been enlightening the whole world. Earlier in a post on X, she quoted a few lines from Tagore's famous collection of poems 'Gitanjali' and paid tribute to the great visionary and colossus literary figure. Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, through a post on X, in Bengali, described Tagore as someone who "had guided the entire human race and defined the true spirit of nationalism through his writings". Thousands of people converged at the Bard's ancestral house at Jorasanko during the day and went around the rooms where the articles used by Tagore were being kept and preserved. Students of Rabindra Bharati University and teachers sang and recited his poems. Several prominent Rabindra Sangeet exponents also performed on the occasion. Cultural rallies were taken out by different clubs and organisations in the morning in different areas where the participants donned ethnic wear and sang Tagore's popular renditions. Many musical soirees were also held in different localities in the evening, performing his songs, poems and plays.
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Dance as a career: Exploring Opportunities in India
Dance, once regarded primarily as a hobby or a cultural tradition, has today emerged as a dynamic and rewarding career option in India. With the growing significance of the arts across education, media, wellness industries, and global cultural exchange, dance now offers a wide array of opportunities for those who are passionate and committed. India's rich and diverse dance heritage—from classical forms like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam to vibrant folk traditions and contemporary styles—provides a strong cultural foundation for aspiring dancers. This cultural diversity has created an ecosystem where dancers can pursue various styles, innovate by blending traditional and modern techniques, and cater to audiences with eclectic tastes. Today's dancers are no longer confined to traditional stage performances. They are carving careers as performers, choreographers, educators, therapists, researchers, and even entrepreneurs. Opportunities exist across different sectors: performing at prestigious cultural festivals, teaching at renowned institutions, choreographing for films, music videos, and weddings, conducting dance therapy sessions, curating workshops, and creating digital dance content for global audiences. Many are also establishing their own dance studios, production houses, and wellness centers, using dance as a medium for physical fitness, mental health, and community engagement. Education and training play a crucial role in shaping a successful dance career. Institutions such as Kalakshetra Foundation, Kerala Kalamandalam, Rabindra Bharati University, and various university-based performing arts programs offer structured learning that blends rigorous practice with theoretical understanding. These institutions equip dancers with technical skills, academic knowledge, and industry exposure, preparing them for multifaceted professional journeys. Certificate and diploma programs, as well as advanced degrees, allow students to specialize in particular styles or explore interdisciplinary approaches. Many contemporary dance programs are evolving to offer more than traditional performance training. In addition to practical skills, curricula often include subjects such as media studies, dance criticism, research methodologies, arts management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This broader approach helps dancers develop abilities not only in performance but also in analysis, documentation, innovation, and leadership within the field. As a result, graduates are increasingly prepared for diverse careers as performers, scholars, educators, cultural managers, content creators, and cultural ambassadors, reflecting the expanding opportunities within the performing arts. Technology has also opened up new avenues for dancers. Online platforms enable dancers to teach virtual classes, conduct webinars, collaborate internationally, and showcase their work to wider audiences without geographical limitations. Social media has become a powerful tool for building personal brands, attracting sponsorships, and participating in global artistic conversations. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI are slowly influencing dance productions and choreography, presenting new creative challenges and opportunities for the next generation of artists. Yet, the path is not without its challenges. Financial uncertainty, inconsistent work opportunities, lack of formal employment structures, and societal expectations around stability can be difficult hurdles to overcome. Moreover, the highly competitive nature of the field demands constant skill development, physical fitness, networking, and adaptability. Nevertheless, the growing appreciation for the arts, the rise of digital platforms, international cultural collaborations, and supportive government initiatives such as scholarships, fellowships, and grants are steadily transforming the landscape. Many states and organizations now recognize the arts as a critical part of cultural diplomacy and national identity, opening doors for dancers to represent India on global platforms. Choosing dance as a profession is a bold and fulfilling decision. It demands dedication, resilience, creativity, and lifelong learning. But for those who follow their passion with discipline and vision, dance offers a life rich in expression, cultural connection, and meaningful impact, both within India and on the global stage. As the boundaries between tradition and innovation continue to blur, the future of dance in India looks not only promising but also profoundly exciting. (The author is Head of the Department and Assistant Professor – School of Performing, Visual and Creative Arts, Alliance University)
