(October 20, 2023) Bhabatosh Sutar is a highly skilled artist with two-and-a half decades of experience in Western painting techniques and a wide array of artistic expressions, including sculpture, and installation art which grace prestigious museums, galleries and public places. He is renowned as a Durga Puja artist, crafting exclusive themes for pujas that showcase not only his artistic design and sculpting expertise but also his architectural, sound and light acumen, and passion to highlight community based issues. This year Sutar achieved a significant milestone in his career with the creation of an exclusive fiberglass idol for a Durga Puja celebration in New Jersey. However, it’s not his first creation that went abroad, many of his works, mostly paintings and sculptures, have found place in homes of art lovers in distant lands like Germany and UK.
In September-October, all of eastern India, and West Bengal in particular, comes alive with the festive energy of Durga Puja. The masterfully designed pandals and crafted idols of the Goddess are a spectacle to behold. In 2021, UNESCO recognised Durga Puja as an ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’, a source of pride for artisans, designers, cultural event organisers, as well as for the enthusiastic communities who celebrate this grand festival. The festival also holds a special place in the hearts of the diaspora worldwide. While artists and organisers in India have explored innovative themes, diaspora communities have largely stuck to traditional idols and designs.
In East Brunswick, New Jersey, the Utsov club, a prominent organiser of Durga Puja in Edison town, has taken a unique approach this year. To help them in their endeavour to do things differently, they engaged Bhabhatosh Sutar, the reputed Durga Puja artist acclaimed for his fusion of innovation and tradition, to conceptualise and create exclusive theme-based pujas, captivating audiences with experiential designs.
Bhabatosh Sutar
“I chose to collaborate with them because they were seeking innovation, which aligns with the kind of creative ideas I specialise in,” says Sutar, as he connects with Global Indian. This collaboration marks a new milestone in the career of the artist who is now in talks with a UK based club for their next year’s celebration.
“For me, my Durga Puja creations go beyond mere economic benefits. They are a manifestation of my passion for conceiving exclusive Puja themes. This is why my focus is less on the foreign market as they tend to favour traditional designs,” he adds.
Building a brand of his own
The esteemed Durga Puja artist, who has recently launched his second book, modestly remarks, “I have had the privilege of conceiving 50 one-of-a-kind pujas, each driven by original ideas, in collaboration with some of Kolkata and Odisha’s most distinguished clubs revered for their theme-based festivities.”
Durga Puja-related art consumes half of his year, while the other six months are dedicated to a diverse array of artistic pursuits. “I have not confined myself to single medium of art, rather love to explore different mediums to express my ideas to give voice to community issues,” he says. “I love challenging myself by redefining myself through my work,” he adds. Beyond his creative work, Sutar loves reading, writing, and actively engages in art for activism.
Bhabatosh Sutar with West Bengal CM, Mamta Banerjee in 2017
His bilingual books Mathe Ghate Shilpo: Art on Ground Zero, written in two parts, is based on his experiences in the Durga Puja industry of two and a half decades. Talking about his second book that got launched this Mahalaya, he says “It’s a coffee table book illuminating the journey of artisans who migrate from villages to towns for three months during Durga Puja, showcasing how their indigenous art becomes an integral part of contemporary celebrations. It highlights the mutual learning and knowledge exchange that takes place between these artisans and the modern artists in town.”
Art for activism and beyond through Chander Haat
Bhabatosh Sutar is a key member of Chander Haat, a collaborative hub that supports cross-disciplinary endeavours, creating an expansive stage for community-driven art initiatives.
“Chander Haat has rapidly gained popularity for dedication of artists who are not just deeply committed to their craft but make use of it for making the society a better place by working on issues such as women’s empowerment, and empowerment of the downtrodden communities, and migrant labourers” he tells. They make use of art for activism.
“Both local community and art enthusiasts benefit from this holistic approach, enjoying the creative process without being confined to the exclusive sphere of the high-end art world,” he remarks.
Chander Haat’s multi-faceted approach also includes engaging in Durga Puja festivals, where artists create idols that resonate with the wider community. It’s not just about serving the gallery circuit; the primary focus is on enlightening the common people about the visual arts’ connection to life.
Bhabatosh Sutar
The course of life
Born in 1974 in Bangladesh, Sutar migrated to Kolkata as a seven year old. He and his siblings grew up in financial hardship as their father worked as a daily wage labourer.
“As early as the age of five, I realised that I had an artist within me. I loved to draw and paint” says the versatile artist, whose mother was creatively inclined and was very good at handicrafts and music.
Bhabatosh Sutar graduated from the Government College of Art and Craft, Calcutta in 2000, as a student of Western painting. After passing out, the talented artist did not remain confined to just painting, and built his speciality in a wider spectrum of artistic expression.
He has several unique art exhibitions in his repertoire, including the 2022 solo exhibition ‘Celebration’, which was a kind of a memorial to the difficulties faced by people like vegetable vendors, rickshawallahs and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) workers during the pandemic. He recorded the stories of 64 such people and made their terracotta portraits. Their stories were even audible when one placed the ear near each portrait.
Bhabatosh Sutar’s work
Sutar’s works grace prestigious museums galleries and public places in Kolkata, such as the Behala Archaeological Museum, Open Museum, Eco Tourism Park, and the pavilion of prestigious hotel, ITC Sonar Bangla.
Since Durga Puja is a central focus of life in West Bengal, he developed expertise in crafting idols of the Goddess. “I am not just confined to creating clay idols but make use of a diverse array of materials like metal, wood, fibreglass and more,” he says.
With his magnificent fusion of tradition and innovation, and meticulous attention to detail, Bhabatosh Sutar has been crafting Durga idols that are not just religious symbols but also exquisite works of art. His idols are known for their lifelike expressions and striking aesthetics, capturing the essence of divinity and feminine strength. The themes surrounding these idols stimulate contemplation for both the locals and the tourists who flock in lakhs to witness the festivities.
- Follow Bhabatosh Sutar on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
- Visit his website for additional information
