Kolkata/IBNS: An exhibition of the sculptures and drawings from Shantiniketan was exhibited by Kiran Dixit Thacker earlier this month at Birla Academy of Art and Culture in Kolkata.

The exhibition, which was inaugurated on April 2, continued till 6th of the same month.

It was inaugurated in the presence of eminent personalities including Mrinal Ghosh, Jayanta Sengupta and Pankaj Panwar.

Kiran Dixit Thacker is the only living female disciple of Ramkinkar Baij, who was the father of modern Indian sculpture.

Thacker was interested in painting and pursued art from Santiniketan under the guidance of Ramkinkar Baij.

Professor of Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, Pankaj Panwar said, "I have known Kiran Dixit for a long time. Almost for the last 25 years, she continuously practiced full time as a sculptor. Her works reflect the surroundings so beautifully that her studio is in Shantiniketan and the pieces are inspired by it."

Jayanta Sengupta, director of Alipore Museum, said about this exhibition, "This is a truly stellar exhibition and a creative homecoming for her, after she returns to India 20 years ago from UK, because she has captured the lives, landscapes, people and moods of Shantiniketan and has captured its essential spirit of serenity and beauty of the place.”"

"In recent times, we have not seen the works of Kiran-di. This exhibition here is happening after 24 years and we are really excited to see the expansions of her work, expands of this technique and form, the indirect influence of Ramkinkar. These works show the expansions of the life of the common people of Shantiniketan."

With more than 60 pieces of her work Kiran Dixit Thacker said, "Every time I make a piece, Kinkarda's picture flashes in front of me. My work is mostly figurative, all kinds of shapes and forms inspire me."

(Reporting by Aaheli Chakraborty, Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)