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Ramita Bhaduri's Chalk Sculptures Spread The Message of Peace In India

By Ajitha Menon

Her tool is a safety pin. Using the harmless chisel, Kolkata-based sculptor Ramita Bhaduri gives expression to her yearning for world peace through exquisitely carved chalk figurines.

"The challenge lies in the patience needed to finely carve the extremely brittle carbonate lime, commonly known as chalk," says the artist, who was deeply moved by the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

"Any violence pains me. I wanted my work to reflect this pain and also my thoughts on terrorism and religious fundamentalism," says Bhaduri, adding, "the pristine white of chalk seemed the appropriate medium to spread the message of peace and harmony."

While her delicately executed chalk figurines of a Hindu, Muslim and Christian praying together underlines the universality of faith. The carefully outlined figure of a man's arms raised in supplication portrays the intrinsic purity of all religions.

"I use motifs like the dove or white pigeons as symbols of peace. For there to be peace, love is essential. Hence, many of my pieces also depict love between humankind," says the sculptor, whose chalk sculptures of two persons hugging and the ubiquitous 'Mother and Child' have found widespread appreciation.

"While patriotism or national pride are acceptable, it must be remembered that no person, no community, no nation, can survive in isolation. Give respect to get respect has been the fundamental teaching of social reformers like Swami Vivekananda, who also find place in my series on world peace," says Bhaduri.

However, it was only around 1991 that Bhaduri decided to enhance her passion into a serious art form with an exhibition of her chalk sculptures at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata. To date, she has crafted and exhibited a collection of around 500 chalk statues, each tells a story of its own.

Incidentally, Bhaduri has no formal training in art. She has a Masters degree in Education from Calcutta University. Her parents recognised her talent at an early stage and encouraged her to continue with her sculpting. "Their support was tremendous. The faith they showed in me has enabled me to develop a hobby into a career without any formal guidance," says the sculptor.

Bhaduri, in her late thirties, is a versatile artist. She paints in oil and water. Her choice of varied mediums shows her versatile creativity. But the signature she brings to anything she works on is her compassion and expressiveness.

"It's always difficult for aspiring women artists to break into tightly knit art circles. My images of women in repose have been my way of showing my patience in the face of professional rivalry or criticism," she says.

Bhaduri points out that now with years of practice behind her, she can create a chalk sculpture within three hours. "However, intricate pieces with finely etched details, like my sculpture of Goddess Kali, or ones with multiple figures, can take days to finish. Breakage can happen even while the finishing touches are being given, and that is really heartbreaking," she adds.

Besides the extreme care needed to carve chalk, there is also the problem of preservation. Sculptors like Bhaduri and Sengupta keep their work wrapped in cotton wool and stored in cardboard boxes, but erosion does take place as the years go by.

When the West Bengal government commissioned her to do a thematic series on Satyajit Ray's films, Bhaduri opted for regular paints. "I made 42 paintings based on the themes of Ray's films and the characters. Using chalk would not have been appropriate as the idea was to preserve the series for posterity. The paintings, exhibited at Kolkata's Nandan Gallery, drew large crowds. The medium of chalk is such that the common man would not have derived similar pleasure or understanding from a similar series," explains Bhaduri.

Unlike other artists who seek posterity, for Bhaduri it is the expression of her emotions and beliefs that is paramount, not the longevity of her work. And to achieve that she is prepared to rise again and again like a phoenix.

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