Cultural Retreat
Art Retreat Chapter 2
Tabla.inc arranged the second Art Retreat at Moram, a beautiful eco resort located at Debanandapur, near Bolpur. The founders of Tabla.inc, Pandit Tanmoy Bose and Smt.Bonnya Bose have always emphasized the importance of structured learning through strict discipline while being extremely affectionate towards the disciples.
The idea of conducting the Art Retreat at Moram is to expose the disciples to various folk art forms of Bengal. The two day workshop not only focuses on classroom learning or hands-on playing of Tabla, but also enriching the children about our culture and educating them about the various art forms, many of which are on the verge of being lost. This exposure helps to grow a sense of responsibility among the disciples towards our heritage and fellow artists from various arenas.
The children, irrespective of age and gender, soaked in the erudition and enriched themselves while enjoying playfully in the midst of nature. Apart from taal, laya and padhant sessions conducted by Tanmoy Bosei himself, the children were imparted lessons on Pakhawaj by Shri Tapash Das, an eminent artist of the said instrument and a guest lecturer of Instrumental Music at Rabindra Bharati University. The disciples of Shri Tapash Das also gave a live performance on Pakhawaj, and so did Pandit Tanmoy Bose’s disciples, on Tabla. A Sreekhol performance was conducted by a group of artists from Birbhum.
The location is very conscientiously chosen where children could learn within safe yet vast environs of the resort where various artists came and shared their talent and knowledge. It was a novel experience for all to make rice flour on a husking pedal, commonly known as ‘dhenki’ in local language, and so was learning to row a boat or making clay pots on the potter’s wheel, guided by Smt.Khukumoni Das. The refreshing serenity of the resort was enhanced manifold by the morning flute performance by Shri Nabani Das. Md.Yusuf trained the children about making lac toys and shared his knowledge about the art and its history. Chhou dance performed by Shibshakti Chhou from Purulia and a tribal dance form called ChadarBadhan from Birbhum enthralled the young and the old alike.
Moram Art Retreat
No artist of any art can express acute aesthetics alone. An artist must go through a holistic approach where s/he will constantly refer to other art forms to create the artistic discourses. In order to become a successful musician, one must read different literature, explore paintings and related art forms, visit places that are historically and culturally important, watch theatre and films, and listen to different concerts. Moram Art Retreat (9th and 10th January 2023) was organised keeping all these things in mind so that the young learners can have a holistic exposure where the artist’s mind would be nurtured and cared for. This was not only an art exposure but a symposium and an opportunity to spend some time with the Guru, the maestro himself.
