A 91-yr-old Delhiite’s tryst with art
Chitta Ranjan Pakrashi looks like another senior citizen of
Delhi out for an evening stroll in an art gallery. But this retired government
servant-cum-chronicler of Bengalis in the city also has an artistic side which
came out at his solo show, which is on at All India Fine Arts & Crafts
Society from November 22 till Wednesday.
As he walked amid his works, Pakrashi didn't look like he
was 91. He showed the oldest of his paintings — a lithograph of a rural scene
which he had created as a student of Government Art School in Kolkata in 1942 -
and a bunch of fresh ones done months before the exhibition with the enthusiasm
of a 19-year old rookie artist.
There is an air of honesty yet artistic brilliance in this
Kailash Colony resident's works. Bright, bold colours, play with forms, shapes,
textures and subtlety and a love for nature are distinguishing feature of this
artist, who is also an acknowledged stamp designer having credited with
creating numerous stamps for over 60 years both in India and abroad.
Pakrashi recalls that he really started painting
post-retirement in 1981 and the push came from artist and friend Bimal
Dasgupta. "He was the one who told me to dedicate myself to painting as a
fulltime artist."
When asked how he felt about being able to work with such
dexterity even post-90, a smile accompanied the reply. "I believe that
work is worship and age is never a factor if you have the right intentions.
Surprisingly, a British boss of mine, Major P.W.R. Homfrey, used to say this.
He was like you are working for your country, not for us."
Another feather on his cap is that Pakrashi is one of the
very few in the country who has worked with three different governments -- The
American government as a mapmaker in Kolkata (194345), British government in Delhi
(1945-47) and the Indian government (1947-1981).
"It has changed a lot. When I came in the
pre-Independence years, Delhi was developing. Now it has developed and become
home for me and many others, who had migrated decades back," he said.
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