People bow and pray,
to the God he made,
Her eyes sparkle,
he creates a magical spectacle,
the paintbrush is seldom seen,
hidden in a brilliant red or an olive green.
Velvet nights and silver stars shining,
fingers aching,curving and shaping,
Burning the midnight oil,
he fills hope into the soil,
he breathes life into the idol
a true test of his mettle.
A million eyes will shine,
seeing the creation divine.
the traces of the nameless faces,
of distant people and farther places,
fade away silently,
yet he waits patiently,
Lying on the lifeless floor,
his dark hut's expecting door,
they knock again after a year,
but the forgotten artist is no longer there.
Gyanban Thoughts -
A series of photographs capturing just a handful of moments from Kolkata' s Durga Puja celebrations.
The artistry, decor and the skill used to make such beautiful structures is simply breathtaking.It becomes even more special when one realizes that the people who built these idols and structures have no formal training, or tools or any other modern amenities to support them.They have been doing this for centuries and have perfected the art.
If only we could showcase them to the whole world, their fortunes would not have fluctuated from one to puja to the other.They would have made a sustained consistent means of living and come up the society levels and be treated as equals.
This is but a small tribute to those unknown unseen anonymous faces who make the Durja Puja such a special occasion for millions of people around the world.Just stop a moment to think and thank the craftsman,the forgotten artist, as you see such brilliant display of sheer talent.
never losing sight of the people behind the scene, never failing to sing praises for the unsung heroes... :-) hope more ppl will start seeing things the way u see, GB.
ReplyDeletegood writing, by the way.
@7-aTe-9 - Well thank you for appreciating. I really feel these artists should be acknowledged on a global platform not just for their skill and talent but also for their mental resilience.they fight hunger, pain and poverty every single day and yet manage to sustain passion in their work. Something for us to think isn't it?
ReplyDeleteTrue and also sad that such masterly creations are
ReplyDeletedumped in to the sea or shallow waters once the festival is over.
Youve taken to poetry too nowadays Gyan...
ReplyDeleteAnd this was a brilliant one. Using the vibrant pics to draw attention to the artists skills and patience that go into such creativity.
They are really blessed who can create a vision of beauty-The great Goddess!
I wish I could be there in Kolkata too during Navratri...
I always thought that putting so much effort into making those idols and ornately designed pandals was a waste. Since after 4 days all of it has to be taken down and the idols immersed in the dirty waters of the Ganges. All the hard work of that unknown artist not only doesn't bring him any recognition but gets destroyed in the end. This poem has captured the essence of such a situation quite beautifully! :-)
ReplyDelete:-)Fantastic Gyan Ban. The snaps have been captured really well and you have paid your tribute so well!! Well done :-)
ReplyDeleterightly said gb...also, all the major south calcutta pandals are there it seems..hmm..so kon din holo eta pandal hopping?
ReplyDeleteI have been to Kumartuli in North Kolkata just before the festive seaton and watched artisans at work in their small huts. They are terrific and fascinating. They send the final product all over the world.
ReplyDeleteGyan Ban, you really are a master at seeing things in a different way. You notice things that others assume/ take for granted. Kudos!
ReplyDeletesplendid photos.. it's amazing how creativity overflows in the entire city thanks to these anonymous artists during the festive months. as you have rightly said, hope their income becomes constant and doesn't change from one year to the next.
ReplyDeleteVery nice! like the line 'the paintbrush is seldom seen'. people appreciate the beautiful artwork, but not the beautiful mind of the artist.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute to the nameless, faceless and forgotten craftsmen and artists. Sadly most folks do not even pay them for their art... and I mean the ones who buy the idols etc from them and then laugh all the way to the bank courtesy advertisements...
ReplyDelete... Wonder what it must be to see their art (made/crafted with such imagination and hardwork)... dismantled...
Beautiful shots with brilliant eye for detail.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these :)
Hope you had a wonderful time this festive season :D
Isn't it the case with every person on earth? Everyone is used and thrown in some way or the other!
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Why are you not writing anymore?
ReplyDeleteinteresting ...almost whole of south kolkata
ReplyDelete