The City's Soul
Urban sketching is more than just drawing; it's about immersing oneself in the dynamic environment of a city and translating its very pulse onto paper.
For artist Avidip Kundu, Kolkata is not just a backdrop but the muse that ignited his passion. Since the age of 14, he has dedicated his artistic practice to capturing the essence of his beloved city using only pen and ink. Growing up amidst the charming verandas, historic tram lines, and venerable buildings of North Kolkata provided a rich tapestry of inspiration. Kundu finds that the inherent rustic and vintage character of Kolkata harmonizes beautifully with the stark precision of pen and ink, occasionally enhanced by delicate washes of watercolor. His deliberate focus on the city as a subject intensified around 2007-08, a time when live sketching of Kolkata was a relatively uncommon artistic pursuit, allowing him to document heritage elements and the city's intrinsic spirit before they fade.
Live Sketching Realities
The practice of urban sketching stands in stark contrast to the controlled environment of a studio. It is inherently a live, immersive experience where the subject and its surroundings coalesce into the final artwork. Kundu emphasizes that each city possesses its own distinct atmosphere – Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata each offer unique environmental characteristics that present specific challenges for an artist to convey. Drawing in public spaces within a bustling metropolis like Kolkata comes with its own set of difficulties. Finding a comfortable and unobtrusive spot to set up and work can be a significant hurdle, requiring artists to adapt to numerous limitations. However, these very constraints contribute to the medium's strength, imbuing the sketch with the immediacy of the moment and the palpable atmosphere of the location.
A Personal Tribute
For Avidip Kundu, the act of sketching Kolkata is deeply personal, serving as a profound tribute to the city he cherishes. He believes that genuine artistry stems from a deep affection for the subject, stating that one cannot excel at portraying a city without loving it. Consequently, each stroke of his pen is a contribution, a way of giving back to Kolkata. His work meticulously records the city exactly as it appears in a given instant, incorporating the play of light, the movement of trams, and the everyday flow of life. This practice compels artists to observe their surroundings with exceptional acuity, noticing details from elevated balconies to the rhythm of pedestrians navigating the streets. Each finished sketch becomes a valuable visual chronicle of a city in transition, preserving the unique character of neighborhoods and architectural features that are gradually being lost to time, while also adapting to the chaotic pace of street life and the curiosity of onlookers.
