: As has been customary over the last nine years, the artists’ group from Puducherry, Shilpataru, launched their annual calendar at Tasmai gallery on Sunday.
The 2015 calendar is themed ‘Musings in Black and White’ and is dedicated to the late photographer Robi Ganguli, one of the founding members of Shilpataru, who passed away in March this year. The calendar features his black and white photographs from the 1950s, when he was most active. Mr. Ganguli of Sri Aurobindo Ashram was appointed by The Mother to take portraits and document the activities of the Ashram. He headed the Ashram Press, and has worked with master photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson. Mr. Ganguli was also instrumental in forming the ‘Ashram Photography’ group which has held regular international photography exhibitions.
The Shilpataru calendar first came about for the year 2007, shortly after the group was formed to raise funds. Shilpataru was formed in 2006 with the idea of promoting art in Puducherry and supporting artists here. The calendar has over time proved to be a platform for artists from Puducherry, says Kirti Chandak, a founding member and current trustee for Shilpataru. “The calendar set the ball rolling for the artists here, as not much was known about art from Puducherry. In fact, people from other places were surprised to see the good work being made here,” she says. While previous calendars have featured varied themes including elements of nature, the group decided to dedicate this one to Mr. Ganguli as a tribute to his work and his influence on the art community in Puducherry. The calendar is available in bookshops across town at a price of Rs 200, said Ms. Chandak. Tasmai at Kurusukuppam is also hosting an exhibition of 30 of Mr. Ganguli’s photographs, which will continue up to January 9 on all days except Mondays, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
