Samik De, a Kolkata-based artist on his latest collection inspired from Pichwai art and why he loves to play around mythological and religious portraits.
Tell us about your latest collection inspired by Pichwai art.
When I first got a chance to visit Shreenathji a few years ago, I was completely moved by his beauty and divinity. I stood there in front of him almost in a trance. Since then, I have managed to visit the temple quite a few times and whenever I stand in front of him, the same trance engulfs my entire existence and moves me to a different world. So, I started trying to express that experience and feeling through my passion for art. That’s how this collection came up. My collection and Pichwai or Nathdwara paintings may have similar subjects, but our ways of expression are different. So I think it’s better to call this collection an extension of Nathdwara paintings. Also, more than the Pichwai art or Nathdwara paintings, it is the place 
Nathdwara and the Nathdwara Shreenath Ji temple and mostly Shreenath Ji himself who has inspired me.
What made you choose Pichwai art as a theme for the latest collection?
Pichwai is painting pictures, normally on cloth, which portray Krishna precisely in the form of Shreenath Ji. They are generally hung behind the idols in temples that depict Krishna leelas. The purpose of Pichhwais, other than artistic appeal is to narrate tales of Krishna to the unaware. With time, people have accepted and started appreciating Pichwais for their aesthetics and brilliant craftsmanship, which makes it popular folk art.
You always love to play around with mythological and religious portraits. Why?
More than religion it’s mythology or mythical stories that attract me. I always get a medium of my expression through them. They are like the alphabet for my poetry.
How many pieces are there in the latest collection and how much time did one piece of art take?
This is an ongoing collection. Right now I have completed a Das Avtar series, drawing inspiration from Sreenath Ji. Basically, I have tried to portray the Vishnu Das Avtar through the form of Shreenath Ji. To be honest, I think I will never be able to complete the series on Sreenath Ji, as he keeps inspiring me and I go on trying to capture him in my works and the process never ends.
You have a full-time corporate job too. How do you create a balance between such intricate artworks, work-life, and 
family?
It is always very difficult to try and balance them. The more I try, the more difficult it becomes. After a point, I have just decided to be honest to all of them as much as possible and not try to balance anything. After that I have seen they all balanced themselves organically I didn’t have to do anything separately. In 2021 I have completed 17 years since my first professional art exhibition and almost 20 years of corporate life. So I guess it’s all organically settled and sorted.
What are your future plans as an artist?
I don’t plan, rather prefer to go with the flow of time and let time only decide the course of action.
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