Heartland (Hridaypur): A Trilogy on Refugee Life and Memories
Saturday, 18 May 2024
KCC Amphitheatre
Join us for an exploration of refugee life and memories through the captivating trilogy of installations by acclaimed artist Pradip Das on Saturday 18 May at KCC. This event features a presentation by Pradip Das followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion with distinguished guests Sayantan Maitra Boka and Sumallya Mukhopadhyay, moderated by Rituparna Roy.
Pradip Das is renowned for his innovative public art and site-specific projects, both as a member of the Kolkata-based collective, ‘Chander Haat’, and as an individual installation artist. His work has garnered attention for its poignant portrayal of societal narratives, with a focus on themes of displacement and cultural identity. Notably, Pradip has gained acclaim for his Durga Puja installations, including the groundbreaking trilogy—'Chol Chitro' in 2021, 'Mota Kapor' in 2022, and 'Hridaypur' in 2023 - which delve into the profound impact of Partition on collective memory and heritage.
Entry is free, but prior registration is mandatory.
Context
The above mentioned trilogy resonates deeply with the ongoing efforts of the Kolkata Partition Museum Trust (KPM) to commemorate the Bengal Partition and its aftermath. The collaboration between KPM and Pradip Das underscores the pivotal role of the arts in preserving cultural memory, as evidenced by KPM's commitment to showcasing visual arts in initiatives such as The Legacy of Loss exhibition at KCC and the Visual Art Gallery of V-KPM, the Virtual Museum.
Das’s trilogy at Naktala Udayan Sangha represents a groundbreaking fusion of public art and historical commemoration. This convergence highlights the power of art to engage with complex narratives and spark meaningful dialogue about shared heritage and resilience.
Collaboration between KCC and KPM
In celebration of International Museum Day, this event presents a unique collaboration between KCC and KPM, showcasing Pradip's site-specific projects at the Puja site at Naktala. Through this collaboration, we aim to explore the significance of public art in shaping collective memory and discuss the potential for archiving such installations in a museum setting.