IMPRINTS OF THE EVERYDAY: PENNING MAPS OF KOLKATA

BY 
ADRIJA DE, CHANDAN NANDI AND GAYATRI CHAUDHURY


EDITED BY 

ARUNIMA GHOSHAL

PART 2
(UN) CONVENTIONAL MAPPINGS

Mapping the city of Kolkata through the contours of the pencil, this article captures the essence of Kolkata through the enmeshed visions of the present, the everyday and nostalgia. The mottled strokes are a reminder of the shades of the city life. Here is a map of the city that will remind us to wander in the streets instead of trying to following the dotted lines/arrows on our GPS screens. Here is a map that celebrates the being of the city in all its glory. Adrija De, Chandan Nandi and Gayatri Chaudhury carve their memories, nostalgia and perceptions of the city that they feel. Their artistic endeavor opens up a world that is personal and yet they penetrate into the soul of the city, capture it and give it to us in these unique mappings of Kolkata.

This first sketch introduces us to monumental grandeur that a child sees in the city. Children and adults alike, love  to celebrate these outstanding visions that the city presents. The Victoria Memorial is one such icon of grandeur. We have spent numerous hours in the gardens and fields around the iconic building. Adrija De through her lovely strokes instantly captures a historic feel that the city emulates. Here is our first step to knowing and mapping the city.

The Victoria Memorial: Icon of the City and Memory Alike 
by 
Adrija De

Having taken a grand look at the cityscape, our map takes us towards another Kolkata. Chandan Nandi, through his captivating artistry brings forth the people of the city, its living streets. His sketches map the city in a manner that is bound to make every Kolkatan nostalgic. Be it the Legendary ‘Fuchka’ or panipuri as many of you may know, or the congested roads through which trams glide about their ways, this map guides us through the streets of Kolkata in its own unique way.

Get to know the city through Fuchka 
by 
Chandan Nandi

Make Way for the Tram
by 
Chandan Nandi

Chandan bares the soul of Kolkata through his interpretations of the city streets. The picture below juxtaposes the story of survival and another legend – the Bharer Chaa or a cup of tea that one finds in every corner of the city.  

The ‘Bharer Chaa’

by 
Chandan Nandi

The bus being the easiest and cheapest form of public transport in the city doesn’t fail to met out special treatment to the ladies. 

Novelties of Public Transport- The Kolkata Bus

by 
Chandan Nandi

This special mapping of Kolkata ends with the memory and nostalgia that Gayatri Chaudhury pours out through her alluring image of the city. The quintessential Bengali babu buys the sweets from ‘Maa  Lakhhi’ shop in the early morning  and while returning from his daily walk through the busy streets.

The Babumoshay and his Box of Sweets 
by 
Gayatri Chaudhury

Our unique map of the Kolkata city gives us a sense of the place that it is, and in the process celebrates the joy the city is. Our artists through their rustic strokes capture the city’s soul in its everyday streetscape.

Editor’s Bio- Note

Arunima Ghoshal is currently pursuing her M. Phil from Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi.

Contributor’s Bio-Note:

Adrija De is a student of Class 12 and loves to read and explore various artistic endeavors. To her, the city of Kolkata is the City of Joy and she tries to capture it through her sketch.

 Chandan Nandi is an architect by profession and is a lover of art. His eyes find a new and a unique city at every turn.

Gayatri Chaudhury finds happiness in travelling and exploring new places. Having left Kolkata twenty years ago, her sketch reveals memories and nostalgia of the place she has left behind.