Kolkata is set to host a month-long exhibition - Comics in Bengal which began on Friday and held until March 9

A month-long exhibition on comics, an art form that has historically used comedy and inventiveness to convey messages, will take place in Kolkata.

Comics in Bengal is a unique exhibition that opens on Friday and aims to provide insight into the development of Bengali comics from their beginnings in the 1920s to the present. Although it is challenging to pinpoint the exact origins of comics in Bengal, many academics argue that patachitra and the panels on terracotta temples were the inspiration for early comics. Nevertheless, the focus of this exhibition will be comics that are published in print.

The Kolkata Centre for Creativity, which is coordinating the event in association with Comics Culture Collective, will host it. "It's more than just an exhibition; it's a celebration of the great illustrators who came to touch many people's hearts and minds, creating a new subculture in Bengal," stated Richa Agarwal, the center's chairperson. These illustrators include Narayan Debnath, Prafulla Chandra Lahiri, Mayukh Chowdhury, Saila Chakraborty, Sufi, Pratul Bandopadhyay, and Tushar Chatterjee.

The rich history, inventiveness, and craftsmanship that have weaved comics into Bengal's cultural narrative will basically be brought to life, according to Ms. Agarwal.

The event's curators said that despite Bengal experiencing significant social and political unrest during the 20th century, Bengali comics have persevered and remained resilient to these changes. They added that even if significant occurrences like war were alluded to in the passing, it was only in the form of jokes with blackened faces and ripped clothing, and no overt signs of violence.

They claim this show is "just the first step" towards a more thorough and organised investigation that will allow them to learn more about Bengali comics. 

For more details: visit https://www.kolkatacentreforcreativity.org/program/comics-in-bengal