Freedom 2023

Ramananda Bandyopadhyay was born in 1936, Birbhum, West Bengal. He graduated in Fine Arts from Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, Kolkata in 1957 under the guidance of Nandalal Bose. Ramananda’s work is typical of the Bengal School of Art. He is inspired by the simplicity and uncomplicated lives of the rustics. His work successfully recreates the innocence, simplicity and grace of a bygone era. A very distinct characteristic of his work is his palette – consisting of predominantly red, browns and greens. Drawing on the ancient and rich cultural heritage of India, Ramananda painted subjects based on Indian mythology and literature including Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Although he is inspired by mythology and heritage, his works are a blend of tradition and the contemporary, which gives Ramananda’s canvases the best of both worlds. He transforms mundane subjects like the middle-class going about their daily activities into paintings invested with a rare grace and beauty.

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I graduated from The Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata, where I specialized in the Western style of painting. Throughout my studies, I delved into various forms and styles of Western painting, encompassing Classical and Neo-Classical paintings, Impressionism, Modernism, as well as different techniques of Fresco and Mural art. However, it was the Realistic style of European painting that deeply captivated me.

I possess a profound admiration for the "Realistic style of painting." In my creative endeavors, I continuously strive to infuse Realism with a touch of Romanticism. My preferred medium is Oil Paint on Canvas, as it allows me to meticulously depict the female form as a symbolic representation of nature and the dreams of life.

Working with oil paint presents its own challenges, particularly in achieving the desired play of light and shadow by employing translucent layers. Careful execution is required to overcome oil paint's inherent opacity and transition it into future transparent layers. While the advent of "Acrylic color" has emerged as a versatile contender in the realm of artistic materials, capable of being applied layer after layer like oil paint or used akin to watercolor to achieve desired effects.

I have developed my own unique working style by adapting this painting process. Utilizing Acrylic Paint in a manner reminiscent of watercolor, I apply it not on paper or board but on large canvases. Although controlling the flow of quick-drying acrylic paint on a substantial surface poses a challenge, it is precisely this challenge that brings me satisfaction. I revel in the swift application of brush and paint, incorporating water, while conscientiously considering the composition's drawings, negative and positive spaces, and preserving the integrity of highlights. Ultimately, my goal is to create artworks that manifest the "Desired Dreams on Wings."

Being passionate about art Debnath started his journey from Govt. College of Art and Craft, Calcutta.

After passing out from the college in the year 2002 he is fully devoted into Art work.

His painting talks as his concept of painting is spiritual. Spirituality and neutralism mingle in his painting and make the abstraction audible.

He is working as a painter, sculptor, exterior and landscape artist, theme and installation maker. He has participated in many exhibitions in Kolkata and abroad and has acquired many awards. His work has also collected by German consolate, non government (corporate sector). His artwork is also found in private collection in India and abroad.

A pass out from the Rabindra Bharati University, Jorasanko, Kolkata, with a First Class in 'Painting Specialisation, in 1991, Indrajit Narayan ventured into the world of Visual Arts.

Over a period of more than three and a half decades, Indrajit has been experimenting with textures, pigments, colours in executing his creatives in 2D and 3D. He started working on his self innovative 'Relief Paintings' in Mixed Media, since 1998-99. These works got acclaimed by connoiseurs, art lovers and collectors. He also works in inks, colour pencils, pastels, oils, acrylics, M/M collage and with tea and coffee stains. The restrained use of colours, the texture and topography of his creatives, bear the emotional approach of his signature stylisation. His works subtly express the environmental crisis and social atrocities committed by the outrageous human instincts or embodies the abstract sensation of humane relations,of dream or of music, in his own way. His works have received Four National Awards (including the 'Lalitkala Akademi Award', New Delhi, in Mixed Media section at the West Bengal State Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts Akademi Annual 2003) and 2015; 'ILEAD Award for Excellence 2022, conferred by ILEAD University, for excellence in teaching Art & Design. Two International Awards (including - 'Award for Excellence' in the 'Shimul International Painting Challenge2009' in association with Russian Centre of Science & Culture, Kolkata.

So far, his creatives have been exhibited in 157 exhibitions at local, state, national and international levels, in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Agartala, Cuba, Kathmandu, London and Bangladesh. His works have been exhibited virtually at the World Virtual Museum', 'Engage India Foundation', 'International Online Exhibition' organised by 'Indian Contemporary Artist Group'. Jharkhand and 'Emergency 2020- Online International Art Contest' organised by Sri. Dharsini Kalai Koodam, Chennai, See Din Studio, Thailand. He has 7 Solo Exhibitions to his credit - at the Academy of Fine Arts, Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarsha-sala (Kolkata Information Centre) and The Mythh" lounge (Hotel HHI) in Kolkata in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2012 and 3 Global Virtual Solo Dossier representation in 2020-2021.

He has attended several Art Camps and Workshops in different parts of West Bengal, Guwahati, and Naogaon in Assam, Agartala in Tripura, Kathmandu in Nepal, Jessore and Narail in Bangladesh. His works are under private collections in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Agartala, Toronto, Mexico, Switzerland, Netherlands, Cuba, Seoul, Tokyo, Canberra and Bangladesh. Just after the college days, he got attached as an artist to the Space Theatre Software - Show Production Division of Japanese Optical Item manufacturer 'Goto Optical", in 1991. There he worked till 2000. At the inception of Kolkata Space Theatre of the Science City, Kolkata, visited Japan on a Space Theatre Show Production project in 1996. He also took to illustration, cover designing jobs for various publications and stage craft and arena designing for theatrical presentations and festivals.

He is also associated to the Art Department of 'Sarbabharatiya Sangeet-O- Sanskriti Parishad, as Art co-ordination, grooming and board of study member. He is the Joint secretary of one of the most prominent artists' and print makers' group 'Achin Potua' and 'Studio Rupali". Presently he got himself into Documentary and Short Film making, as an annex area of cultural activity. His first documentary 'A Silent Journey of Rhythm', has been released in May, 2017, at the ICCR in Kolkata and screened at Kolkata and Santiniketan. Its on the life and works of the living legendary veteran Manipuri Nrityguru Devjani Chaliha. He has so far made five more Documentary films.

Since the college days he got into Art Education, at his own institution. Along with that, he is also attached to NGOs. Attached as a part-time Consultant Art Teacher to Bridge & Vidyanjali & Garden High International Schools, Kolkata, affiliated to the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CAIE) with IGCSE, AS& A Levei Curriculae since 2004, 2009 & 2015 respectively.

He is also a Working Committee Member, co-ordinator-Sarbabharatiya Sangeet Sanskriti Parishad Secretary. Garia Chhandam Kalalendra CA Creative Cultural Institute) Garia Saampaan, Garia Sopaan and Joint Secretary, ACHIN POTUAC A leading Group of Painters & Sculptors from West Bengal & Assam.

In my works, there is always interplay of forms & abstractions, which arrive from my subconscious mind - touched with feelings & emotions.

The colours represent feelings, & I concentrate on the merging of the forms with the abstraction, & I try to create an atmosphere.

My works are always a search for some inner truth that eludes me intellectually. Somehow I sense a meaning in them with my heart, perhaps not in words, but by a sublime sense of arriving somewhere familiar, after a very long journey.