Subhaprasanna Bhattacharjee is an Indian painter. He was born on 20 October 1947. Mononymously known as Subhaprasanna, he was the recipient of the 2013 Banga Bibhushan. He is an internationally acclaimed artist, having exhibited his work not only in India but also in Bangladesh, France, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States (US). He is the founder of the College of Visual Arts (1976) and the Arts Acre Foundation (1984).

Subhaprasanna Art Theme

One can see strong influences of urban life and its population in Subhaprasanna Paintings. His work is informed by the existential torment of the urban man. Amid the 1960 – 1970 political upheaval in Kolkata, artist Subhaprasanna’s work showcased violence and its effects. His paintings mirror the sordid realities of the city while incorporating elements of fantasy. He is adept at charcoal, oil on canvas, and an assortment of mediums.

At the start of his career, he was interested in the daily lives of middle-class Kolkata. During these years, his paintings feature streets, crows, and emblems of distance & loneliness. Subhaprasanna paintings of this period, emphasise the decay of the city and the negligence of its residents. Around 2005, he began painting the effigies of divine figures and softer symbols like flowers. Even during this period of ‘mysticism’, he enchanted the audiences through his narration, bringing his favourite tales to life. 

Subhaprasanna Paintings

Subhaprasanna had a long career, in which he enjoyed recognition. He has amassed a fandom through his 50 solo shows and numerous group exhibitions. A few of his paintings are briefly discussed below.

Middletone

As expected, the painting of Subhaprasanna decorated in the collection ‘Middletone’ is an unformidable representation of the streets and houses of Kolkata. It was crafted in the 1990s. The paintings feature zig-zag streets with houses lining either side. These symbols are a nod to the ever-growing labyrinth. The houses seem to have come alive. Nostalgic of their relationship with their occupants, they are now sorrowful and longing for the old days. This collection of Subhaprasanna paintings foreshadows the onset of apathy and distance permeated through the gentrification of the city.

Icons and Illusions

At the time, he was known for his city paintings. This painting of Subhaprasanna, marks his divergence from the old style, exploring the territories of divine and mystic. Here, he has used the modernized images of Lord Ganesh and the Rasleela featuring Radha and Krishna.

Mystique of the Epic

His new collection was unveiled at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity. This is a modern retelling of the epic ‘Mahabharata’. In this collection, he takes the viewers on a literal journey through the main events of the epic. This collection includes the episodes of ‘Arjun eyeing the fish’, ‘Draupadi’s forceful disrobing’, and ‘Bhishma on the bed of arrows’. The artwork is fairly comprehensible (which was Subhaprasanna’s intention) and seems like an illustration, serving the purpose of quick narration.

Photo Courtesy – Banglar Mukh

Kolkata Centre for Creativity’s AMI Arts Festival