Unmistakable passion

On July 24, Bharatiyam at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre presented five baulanis, female practitioners of Baul, coming from different districts of West Bengal. With all the singers affecting the metaphysics by virtue of inviting metaphors, Krishna Dasi (North 24 Parganas) and Sandhya Dasi (Birbhum) were temperate in their devotional offerings. Sumitra Dasi (Burdwan), the most tuneful of them, sang eulogy to the mentor. Lalan Fakir’s conception of man suspended in a sea of elixir found eloquent expressions in Subhadra Sharma’s (Nadia) melodious conviction. The one leaving a lasting impression was the srikhol-playing Uma Dasi (South 24 Parganas) who rendered Bhava Pagla spirituals. The auditorium’s confines was a let down, but the passion was unmistakable.

Anshuman Bhowmick

No logical links

Debesh Goswami, a Paris-dwelling artist since 1995, belongs to the young generation dedicated to post-modernism. Building on his childhood interest in sculpture, he has lately been busy composing his new-look artistic assemblages in the manner of installations ? a little-understood and vaguely defined genre of open-ended art form. Gallery Chemould did a good job by allowing its vertical and horizontal space to the visiting artist to exhibit his work, which was a combination of small paintings alongside an attractively designed collection of bricks looking much like loaves of a freshly-baked bread. No logical link between those disparate objects was sought to be established. His work appeared too abstruse and so went above the heads of the common viewers.

Samir Dasgupta

Carefree spirit

Return to the roots was the theme chosen for a folk music programme ? Shikarer Sandhaney ? by Bhramara at Sisir Mancha on July 19. It turned out to be a return in earnest ? presenting songs on the Behula-Lakhindar folklore from Manasamangal and a wide variety of styles from Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum and north Bengal ? like Bhadu, Gambhira, Tushu and Jhumur. Instrumental accompaniment with sarinda, madal and mandira lent an honest touch to the choral numbers. A mix of lilting solos and chorus pieces ? Ei deha ishtimaar, Tomra geley ki aashibey ? a popular song from Goalpara in Assam, Aamar taitey dhanda, Shirish gaachher neechey and Din geley din revived the carefree spirit of gurgling streams.

Mohua Mitra