The beauty of Bengal has long inspired artists, and photographer Sanjay Das is no different. The Red Hibiscus Trail, presented by Gallery Ragini and curated by Ina Puri, is one such visual odyssey that captures the many charms of Bengal — be it the heritage, culture and rituals or the state’s festivals, architecture, and arts. The solo exhibition–on display in the national capital till January 10, 2024 — features Das’ artworks captured over a decade-long trail of Bengal’s unexplored regions.
The Red Hibiscus Trail
Speaking about the artworks to Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, Das says, “[I wanted to] capture Bengal’s glorious past and [the] components of our plush ethnicity that […] may cease to exist in the years to come. That is when these archives [might] help ameliorate the memories of those generations who may never get to see these lost stories again and aid in presenting images for the generations to come that may never experience them in person.”
A ‘prabashi’ Bengali who grew up in Delhi, Das’ The Red Hibiscus Trail follows his journey through the interiors of villages documenting the lives of the ordinary craftsmen who lived in the area. His journey down nostalgia lane took the College of Art graduate through heritage sites of Purulia, Murshidabad, Medinipur, Birbhum, Howrah, Hooghly, 24 Parganas and Kolkata. As he revisits the landscapes of Bengal, Das doesn’t merely document; he delves into the interiors, uncovering untold stories and weaving a narrative that transcends the familiar. Through the monotone black and white photographs, viewers can hear the beats of mridangam musicians, marvel at the artistry of shankha jewellers and watch kantha weavers craft many tales. The trail also leads him to half-submerged terracotta temples and mosques, revealing hidden gems that transcend time.
Das reveals, “My love for Bengali culture and traditions was part of my growing up years in Delhi. Acquaintances with the folklore of Bengal came my way through legends and stories narrated to me by the elders in the home. These cultural snippets trickled down to me in my childhood, and subconsciously stayed with me.”
An Ode to Bengal
Ina Puri, the curator of the series, reflects on Das’ unique approach to photography. Traditionally a medium dependent on light, Puri notes that the photographer seamlessly incorporates darkness into his compositions, adding depth and dimension. His childhood exposure to folk theatre, she says, lends a cinematic edge to his work, evident in the vivid portrayal of charak players and the authentic re-enactment of life. The name of the series, too, takes inspiration from quintessentially Bengali traditions.
“When it came to selecting a title for this fabulous show that spanned over 12 years of the photographer’s life, I felt we had to have a name that symbolically reflected on his many journeys to Bengal,” reveals Puri while speaking exclusively to Travel+Leisure India & South Asia. She adds, “The red hibiscus associated with worshipping the Goddess Kali is also a flower that grows in profusion in the villages and hamlets of Bengal. Since Sanjay was documenting the monuments, mandirs and masjids across the hinterlands, he might have seen these vibrant flowers–known in Bengal as jaba phool–everywhere he went. And therefore, the title The Red Hibiscus Trail.
Exhibition Overview
Dates: Till January 10, 2024
Venue: Gallery Ragini, Ambassador Hotel, Near Khan Market, New Delhi
Related: Exploring Santiniketan In West Bengal, The Land Of Tagore
Written By
Bayar Jain
Senior Content ManagerEquipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing ..Read More
