Calcutta Cauldron

Academy of Fine Arts

 

Academy of Fine Arts was set up under the aegis of Lady Ranu Mukherjee with the patronage of B C Roy and Jawaharlal Nehru. The beautiful premises with walkways, trees, some buildings, a theatre is a feast in the sprawling metropolis. With the Victoria greens infront and the urban decadence behind it was a community set up for the patron of the Fine Arts. It has continued to be just so. Plays are held round the year here and the reasonable costs provide a platform for budding theatre groups. On offer are interesting themes, topics, novice groups and the legendary stalwarts Bohurupee, Nandikar, Rangakarmee.

Many evenings have witnessed powerhouse performances of Rakta Karabi, Naathbati Anaathbat, Madhabi, Panchjanya, Rani Kadambini, Mrityunjoy among some. The snacks served outside are the delectable Phool gobhi singharas, beetroot chops and Bhaanrer chaa (tea in earthenware cups), somethings remain the same forever and that is the charm.

I went there the other day to see an exhibition of restored masterpieces of Rabindranath Tagore, Debendranath, Raza, Bikash, Hussain among others. I am told that this is a fraction of the actual collection. It was probably collected by Lady Ranu Mukherjee who is slated to have the best and the finest. A true connoisseur of the arts and luxe living.

Having reached early, with time to ponder I realized that this is an area throbbing with the young, not so young and old. A plethora of eating joints with benches are occupied by people lost in the intense world of “adda” or discussions about the esoteric – culture, films, politics et al. Lovebirds abound in the shadows lost in a different universe. Bright neon lights lends to the haze but very palpable are the grace, opulence, exclusivity and grandeur of the years when it was haunted by the Bengali “bhadralok” or gentry in crisp Kurtas and dhoti, the women dressed in fine silks and jewels. Alas!

Flanked by Rabindra Sadan and Nandan, two great places for serious film and theatre buffs, this area is perhaps closest to the legendary anime of College Street and the “adda’ which Anjan Dutta soulfully croons “aar nei” – not there anymore? Times have changed with mindsets, attitudes, selfies predominantly dominating conversations. Nevertheless some interactions do happen. “Adda” does take place. The young do see plays, films, art.

This place is a living testimony!