Is the change in West Bengal all for good?
The painter, a Left-leaning-liberal-turned-Mamata-fan, comments on the change in the political and cultural climate in West Bengal
Is the change in West Bengal all for good?
Absolutely. The Left바카라™s rule had led to a decline that was social, economic and arrested development in education, and led to rising debt and unemployment. Political, cultural and village bodies were politicised to wretched levels.
You바카라™re brothers with the Left, though.
That was back in the 1950s. The Left of today has transformed to a negative power.
Mamata Banerjee is West Bengal바카라™s first woman CM. Your comments?
I am proud of Mamata바카라™s achievement and believe she바카라™s for progress. Her imaginative ideas, tirelessness, drive is infectious.
Ma-Mati-Manush goes her slogan....
Which echoes like Bankimchandra바카라™s words on the sacred mother. It바카라™s inspirational.
What happens to the Left-leaning liberal artist today in Bengal?
It바카라™s not so much Left as much as progressive. We바카라™ve seen how disastrous Left-led reigns have failed in building ideal societies.
Will contemporary art here turn commercial and mercenary?
Society바카라™s approach has turned commercial on most things, why single art out for profiting?
Mamata recently donated Rs 1 crore from the proceeds of the sale of her paintings for developmental works....
She바카라™s a selfless person, almost saintly in attitude. Her gesture is not surprising.
How do you rate her paintings?
Despite her untrained expression, Mamata바카라™s work is full of energy, expression and rhythm.
Do you envisage a better cultural space under Mamata?
I바카라™m sure she바카라™ll try to take things to a high level for culture. Let바카라™s wait and watch for her proactive ideas to unfurl.
What are Mamata바카라™s strengths?
She speaks from the heart and that has a large emotional appeal for people.