The wall of CESC Patuli substation has been painted to represent and highlight the work of the Artisans of Kumartuli — creating a strikingly vibrant image that compels passers-by to stop and take notice. It is a 75-feet Mural - the tallest of Kolkata.
The mural was created by Pune-based artist Afzan Pirzade and commissioned by St+art India (an organisation that creates public art projects), in partnership with Asian Paints, in December 2021. “St+art India had run an online campaign asking people to volunteer naked walls that could be beautified. The CESC Substation in Patuli was ultimately selected, and they roped me in,” says Pirzade.
Pirzade decided that he wanted to select something that would instill a sense of pride in people. After scouring the internet, Pirzade came across the magic of Kumartuli. “I had never heard of or seen something like this before. Outside Kolkata, we appreciate Durga Puja, but we never get to know the people that make the idols. I decided to study the artisans, their community and culture. Their process fascinated me, because it is extremely similar to what is taught in art schools. I was mesmerised by how these artisans have a culture of generational learning where they are taught by their fathers, who were in turn taught by theirs. I knew then that I couldn’t choose any other topic for the mural,” he says.
His goal was to get the artisans the appreciation they deserve and came up with a design inspired by the traditional colours and clay used in Kumartuli.
“We managed to create the entire mural in 17 days, despite rain playing spoilsport for three days," he says.
“Kolkata deserves an art colony inside the main city. The walls need to have some character, which will not only help tourism, but also instill pride in residents,” he says. He also reveals a dream of creating a mural on The 42, Kolkata’s tallest building. “I really hope that I get the chance to do more murals on the city’s rich art and culture,” he says. Below the Mural Painting, a tribute to Kumartuli.
Source Courtesy: The Telegraph
