“Pickles, No Prisoners” |
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- Yerasimos Dimovasilis (Greece/Japanese Honkyoku Music/Shakuhachi)
- Takis Loukatos (Greece/Dance/Visual Art/Drama Director)
- Anahita Razmjooie (Iran/Iranian Classical Music/Kamancheh)
- Nadi Raj & Hindigo (Nadi Raj :Vocals &Stefanos Kozanis :keybords -electronics (Greece/Jazz Fusion Ethnic)
- Qazi Nawshaba Ahmed & Prokiti Nazareena Ahmed Bela (Bangladesh / Puppetry Video Art)
- Pramukho Rupan (Unplugged Circle)(India /Experimental Music & Sound Art)
- Rasmy Raghavan (Visual Art , Painting)
Extended Screenings: - Bisargo Theatre ।। বিসর্গ থিয়েটার (India/Neo Primitive Theatrical Expedition)
- Sand Suwanya (Thailand/Visual Art/Colour frome Natural pigment ,Leaf fruit flower clay and squid ink )
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- Sophie Ray Lee (TBD / a Costume Presentation - PART 1)
- Sanjay Khyapa & Daneel Sayegh (India/World Music)
- Sophie Ray Lee (TBD / a Costume Presentation - PART 2)
- Bona Viro (Greece/Chamber Music/Oud & Guitar)
- Jee and Bee (India & France/ Joyeeta Sanyall- Bernard Margarit / Electro Indian Vibes/Sitar-Guitar-Electronics)
- Paramita Chakraborty (India/Indian Classical Music-Vocals)
- Chaiti Nath (Mumtendustic) (India/Visual Art /Catharsis through a set of postcards)
- Sofia Kovarich (Italy/Dance Improvisation)
- Brother Russ & Friends (Nebraska/Instrumental Music)
Extended Screenings : - Azmain Azad Katha (Bangladesh / Video Art /The Same old Day)
- Satarupa Sarkar (India/Visual Art/Painting)
- Lila Soussi (Greece / European Classical Music)
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- Dwiptanil Bhattacharjee (India/North Indian Classical Music/Sarod)
- Kristine White-Alan Mackie (Canada/Visual Art & Music/ Shadow Imagery & Contra Bass)
- Rituparna Banerjee & Subhabrata Sen (India/Bengal Folk Music/Dotara-Vocals)
- Georgia Zoi (Greece/Byzantine Music,Greek Folk Music/Vocals)
- Aravind Ramachandran (India/Visual Art & Music/Painting & Bansuri)
- Tamiko Takahashi (Japan/Visual Art/Painting)
- Ador Hooyar (Iran/Persian Mystic Music/Kurdish Tanbur-Vocal)
- Oindrila Sarkar (India/Odissi/Classical-Free Dance)
Extended Screenings : - Selin Eren (Turkey/Visual Art /Ceramics/Short Film)
- Mojo Bros. & Shantiniketan family (India/Contemporary Music/Quarantine Jamming Distance Video)
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- Rahul Ananda (Bangladesh/Contemporary Music/ Vocals & Instruments)
- Λήδα Ξυδιά (Greece/Visual Art / Painting & Qanun Instrument )
- Jonathan Kay & Shanya Kay (Canada / North Indian Classical & Indo-Jazz Music /Esraj-Saxophone-Vocals)
- Deepika Sakhat (India/Visual Art/Painting)
- Nikolas Palaiologos (Greece /Ethnic Music/ Oud & Rebab& Saz &Yayli Tambur )
- Uma Banerjee & Syed Taufik Riaz - (India ,Performance art)
- Baishali Sarkar (India /World Music/Vocals)
- Nithin Muliyangal (India) (India/Visual Art/Painting)
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“Jyotishka”
in Bengali (from Sanskrit),
means a luminous celestial body.
It is an event that situates itself
at the intersection between
LocaL, gLobaL, and CosmiC.
in Bengali (from Sanskrit),
means a luminous celestial body.
It is an event that situates itself
at the intersection between
LocaL, gLobaL, and CosmiC.
HISTORY
The event began as a way to address the lack of a consistent independent art festival in the culturally diverse town of Santiniketan.
While the artistic hub of Santiniketan has a lot to offer visiting and residing artists, from university courses, art residencies and workshop opportunities, to traditional and post-Bengali renaissance style festivals, yet there was not as such an event which was dedicated to promoting independent art practices, and to nurturing the link with the contemporary global art market.
Hence the theme for the first year (2017) was “rogue academics”, playing off the foundational academic heritage of Santiniketan and its positive and negative connotations.
While the artistic hub of Santiniketan has a lot to offer visiting and residing artists, from university courses, art residencies and workshop opportunities, to traditional and post-Bengali renaissance style festivals, yet there was not as such an event which was dedicated to promoting independent art practices, and to nurturing the link with the contemporary global art market.
Hence the theme for the first year (2017) was “rogue academics”, playing off the foundational academic heritage of Santiniketan and its positive and negative connotations.
MISSION
Jyotishka is meant to encourage local artists in the Santiniketan area, as well as artists across the various culturally diverse regions of Bengal (and Bangladesh) to come together and forge new and lasting relationships through art and innovation. By making this our priority we reduced the stress and complication which normally arise when attempting to host an international festival. Nonetheless, during all three festivals we had an impressive list of international artist participating which is testimony to the cosmopolitan nature of Santiniketan but also to the successful international networking platform of two artistic communities which are the backbone of Jyotishka Festival: namely, the transcultural collective HiHiRi PiPiRi and the performance art collective Performance Independent (Pi).
FOOD AND WOOD
{ delicious encounters•foods for the woods•come•peal your skin and fry the rest }{
{ delicious encounters•foods for the woods•come•peal your skin and fry the rest }{
The theme for the 2020 festival was “food and wood”, which continued to explore the intersections between local and global as can be gleaned from culinary practices.
Hence art was transformed into food, and art making into eating.
The lines were blurred significantly.
Falling on a leap year February 29th day, Jyotishka was again informed by our alliance with the cosmic, be it astrological, astronomical or mythical.
Hence art was transformed into food, and art making into eating.
The lines were blurred significantly.
Falling on a leap year February 29th day, Jyotishka was again informed by our alliance with the cosmic, be it astrological, astronomical or mythical.
– Braille Darpan –
– A Theatre Production Directed by Sophie Ray Lee –
– at Theatre House –
কালকে সবাই আস আর দেখ আমার নতুন জামা কাজ (experimental fashion show) সাথে নাটক আর গান আর নাচ
– A Theatre Production Directed by Sophie Ray Lee –
– at Theatre House –
কালকে সবাই আস আর দেখ আমার নতুন জামা কাজ (experimental fashion show) সাথে নাটক আর গান আর নাচ
Poster designed by Reiko Shimizu
Special thanks to all the organizers, participating and artists and this year’s four diverse venues:
HiHiRi PiPiRi Mud House
Mirzapur Theatre Space
Iasonus House
Milon Mela Theatre House
HiHiRi PiPiRi Mud House
Mirzapur Theatre Space
Iasonus House
Milon Mela Theatre House
Bengali New Year + Mangal Shobhajatra +
Group Art Exhibition + Performance + Concert + Fun
Group Art Exhibition + Performance + Concert + Fun
On April 15, 2019,
Hihiri Pipiri hosted a Bengali New Year one-day event from morning to evening!
First, in early morning, the 'walk for the goodwill of mankind' or 'wellbeing procession' known as Mangal Shobhajatra. This takes place all across Bengal and Bangladesh on the Bengali New Years Day (Pahela Boishakh/ Nabobarsho). Community members create large animal sculptures to march through the street and carry colorful hand-painted masks.
Mangal Shobhajatra (মঙ্গল শোভাযাত্রা) on Pahela Baishakh, the latgest secular festival close to the hearts of Bengali, this festival is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and we thank Subrata Shuvro for attending the Kolkata press conference on behalf of Hihiri Pipiri, helping our small-town action to be officially recognized as a United Nations UNESCO event. We are proud to have hosted the first ever Mangal Shobhajatra in Santiniketan (Birbum District) and to participate in the continuation of a beautiful tradition. It is a vibrant and colourful procession in which thousands of people from all walks of life join freely and spontaneously as part of their celebration of the Bengali New Year in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh every year the mass procession is organized by the teachers and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
Mangal Shobhajatra (মঙ্গল শোভাযাত্রা) on Pahela Baishakh, the latgest secular festival close to the hearts of Bengali, this festival is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and we thank Subrata Shuvro for attending the Kolkata press conference on behalf of Hihiri Pipiri, helping our small-town action to be officially recognized as a United Nations UNESCO event. We are proud to have hosted the first ever Mangal Shobhajatra in Santiniketan (Birbum District) and to participate in the continuation of a beautiful tradition. It is a vibrant and colourful procession in which thousands of people from all walks of life join freely and spontaneously as part of their celebration of the Bengali New Year in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh every year the mass procession is organized by the teachers and students of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University.
Organizer : Subrata Shuvro
Art Director : Adite Majumder
Art Director : Adite Majumder
Subrata Shuvro and Adite Majumder organized and designed the construction bamboo and coconut-leaf Horse sculpture. The form of horse inspired from Bakura folk art motif. Guarab Das (Kakon) who devoloped the basic structure with Adite and Subrata. Pon Shilpon, Sourav Mistry (Megh), Sophie Ray Lee, Tamal Das, Russ Cubrich, Suman Majumder (Mojo), Ananya, other volunteers and villagers worked with them to built the giant horse. Specially the Taltore villagers were so friendly and supportive.
Adite further created and facilitated mask-making. Subrata Managed to bring traditional mask design and official poster of the festival from Faculty of Fine Arts Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Adite and Subrata staying up many long nights to see the work completed with great honor and heart.
(Contact [email protected] to reach Adite for art direction works).
Adite further created and facilitated mask-making. Subrata Managed to bring traditional mask design and official poster of the festival from Faculty of Fine Arts Dhaka University, Bangladesh. Adite and Subrata staying up many long nights to see the work completed with great honor and heart.
(Contact [email protected] to reach Adite for art direction works).
Building.
wood, bamboo, coconut leaf, straw and rope
Meanwhile, at the house...
An exhibition was curated by Hihiri organizer Sophie Ray Lee, showcasing the works of our long-stay Artist in Resident Russ Cubrich in the company of Hihiri's permanent collection and garden gallery. The display also featured the works (and studios) of participating artists Tamal Das, Suman Majumdar, Sourav (Meg) Mistry, and Sophie Ray Lee.
Visitors would be welcomed into the space following a procession of small clay trucks on a winding road, travelling through the garden and into the house, directing viewers toward and into the featured works and open studios.
Small welded figures by Tamal Das
Sophie Ray Lee open studio
The days celebration ended with the setting sun...
During which took place, a provocative performance by Sumedha Bhattacharyya and Kaur Chimuk. Ghaash, informed from the poetry by Punjabi Poet Pash, called viewers to consider what occurs "in-between." Bhattacharyya and Chimuk quietly interrupted the doorway of Hihiri with meandering movements. Visitors would arrive curious - inside from out - passing respectfully between hypnotized performers. |
Finally!
a concert by the water,
the wonderment of which could never be captured.
musical performances by
Mojo Bros and Co., Iasonas Psarakis, Moumita & Friends
Photography/Documentation by Aranya Bandyopadhyay + Sophie Ray Lee
Special thanks to all who participated!
"Today we exhibit the art of the beloved Russ Cubrich. We couldn't have asked for a better first International Artist in Residence and are so excited to celebrate with you his hard work and joyful antics. You have probably seen Russ around town the last few months, he's the goofy curly-haired dude with feathers in his hat who is almost always singing silly songs around a fire, playing with power tools, or climbing coconut trees until his chest bleeds.
Over the last four and a half months, Russ has completed a beautiful work of community engagement. He built a fully functional Ceramic Kiln of his own design from a recycled Oil drum and facilitated many gatherings to play with ceramic handicraft (please view studio display inside house).
Upon arrival, Russ was determined to learn how to climb the coconut trees. After learning, he has been proud to liberate many coconuts for the enjoyment of all nearby. From his climbs he collected and created over 40 coconut cups which will soon be for sale on our online shop. Further, Russ even has the ambition to create ladders and bridges between our 5 narcal gaach here at Hihiri.
During his time here (in addition to the kiln and his own art work), Russ has helped us with many home improvements! From electrical work, roof repair, landscaping, furniture building, on and on.. He never stops working and his energy has been a brilliant addition to the community at large.
Russ has created a small book about his time here to share with all (a request of all Hihiri Pipiri Artists in Residents). Please take one and enjoy his stories! He's also made a few gifts which are up for raffle. Donate 20rs to win a Russ Mala (railroad crushed US penny necklace), 100rs for a coconut cup.
Today you can also view Fine Art sculpture works of Russ, inspired by found iconic clay tea cups, and a short compilation video of his many performances in Santiniketan this season.
Other Featured Works
Alex Poteca (House Installation, Paintings - Romania)
Suman Majumder (Linocut Print - Santiniketan)
Sophie Ray Lee (Studio, Essays, Garments - Santiniketan)
Tamal Das (Metal Sculpture - Santiniketan)
Jon, Shayna Kay & Lavrenty Repin (Pizza Oven - Canada)
Sourav Megh Mistry (Photography - Kolkata)
& other murals, doodles, and doo-dads by the rest of us...
Over the last four and a half months, Russ has completed a beautiful work of community engagement. He built a fully functional Ceramic Kiln of his own design from a recycled Oil drum and facilitated many gatherings to play with ceramic handicraft (please view studio display inside house).
Upon arrival, Russ was determined to learn how to climb the coconut trees. After learning, he has been proud to liberate many coconuts for the enjoyment of all nearby. From his climbs he collected and created over 40 coconut cups which will soon be for sale on our online shop. Further, Russ even has the ambition to create ladders and bridges between our 5 narcal gaach here at Hihiri.
During his time here (in addition to the kiln and his own art work), Russ has helped us with many home improvements! From electrical work, roof repair, landscaping, furniture building, on and on.. He never stops working and his energy has been a brilliant addition to the community at large.
Russ has created a small book about his time here to share with all (a request of all Hihiri Pipiri Artists in Residents). Please take one and enjoy his stories! He's also made a few gifts which are up for raffle. Donate 20rs to win a Russ Mala (railroad crushed US penny necklace), 100rs for a coconut cup.
Today you can also view Fine Art sculpture works of Russ, inspired by found iconic clay tea cups, and a short compilation video of his many performances in Santiniketan this season.
Other Featured Works
Alex Poteca (House Installation, Paintings - Romania)
Suman Majumder (Linocut Print - Santiniketan)
Sophie Ray Lee (Studio, Essays, Garments - Santiniketan)
Tamal Das (Metal Sculpture - Santiniketan)
Jon, Shayna Kay & Lavrenty Repin (Pizza Oven - Canada)
Sourav Megh Mistry (Photography - Kolkata)
& other murals, doodles, and doo-dads by the rest of us...
The Button Factory Manifesto
1. The button factory does not accept the concept of time!
2. Since the button factory has no concept of time, it has no hours.
3. Having no hours, the button factory is always open.
4. The button factory will remain open until factory shut down, implosion, explosion, decomposition, etc.
5. The button factory's primary concern is the production of buttons.
6. Therefore, the button factories secondary concern is the prevention of a factory shut down.
7. The button factory will eventually shut down / melt down.
8. Button factory working conditions will become grueling, palpitating, and uncomfortable.
9. Bidis and coffee come before food and water.
10. The button factory will pay homage to the appearance and disappearance of the great fire button of heat and light.
11. The button factory knows not pain.
12. The written record of button factory ideology and belief are not as important as the production of buttons.
13. All buttons are created equal.
14. Some buttons are destroyed equal.
15. The button factory understands that not everyone cares about buttons.
16. The button factory only cares about buttons.
17. Each button pressing will contain and arbitrary number of buttons.
18. The enlightened buttons of the third press understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.
19. The great fire button of heat and light is only the center of this button system.
20. People are not buttons, buttons are buttons.
21. Buttons are not people, and they don't want to be.
22. Button factory procedure: if sound pressure of the internal system rises to critical levels, grab Bass lever until factory returns to stable pressure levels.
23. Dahl Face is neither button or people.
24. Bilbo lost his nice brass buttons in his escape from the Goblin caves of the misty mountains.
25. The button factory strives to see the inner button of all things.
26. The button factory does not work toward perfection, it works toward buttons.
27. Smoke rings have one hole, most buttons have more.
28. Practice makes buttons.
29. A. As opposed to a line, a circle has no beginning and no end.
B. The outline of a button is a circle.
C. The button has no beginning and no end.
30. A bi-product of the button factory is insanity.
31. The button factory believes in button evolution.
32. Do not press the button factories buttons, it presses its own.
33. The button factory accepts that it is not sustainable, profitable, or practical.
34. Humans have one button, guess where it is.
"The Trees Tale" Documentary Film
about the events at Canalpar, Santiniketan March 2018
by Sunandan Adhikary and Swapnanil Chowdhury
about the events at Canalpar, Santiniketan March 2018
by Sunandan Adhikary and Swapnanil Chowdhury
''This is a documentary that depicting the whole scenario of a movement to save tree in Santiniketan. Also activists got attacked in the name of obstruction in the work of development''
-Sunandan Adhikary
-Sunandan Adhikary
This 10 minute film details a violent local happening which greatly effected our place and people. Thank you to all who stood in defense of the trees and shopkeepers that day. And thank you to Sunandan and Swapnanil for making record of this moment with great care.
We are so happy to have met Aranya Bandyopadhyay and his team ''It'sYourFM'' !! Friends and film-makers working to uplift artists and musicians by documenting performances, asking only that you mention their tag ''It'sYourFM'' when posting. Bandyopadhyay observed the need of local artists for video recording (especially in casual/natural environments), found a way his personality and trade could support that need, and continues to actively play a valuable roll in our creative community! This is gift economy!
Musicians, film makers, wealthy patreons, get in touch with these guys! They're great to work with, show up when they say they will, and quickly deliver really nice footage. FREE resource for artists, but please find a way to recognize and support their labor so they can keep going/giving!
Sometimes it's confusing in a capitalist state to maintain non-profit projects or works, WE KNOW! But then good people like this appear out of nowhere and we can together realize and prove a different system of exchange is possible... A creatively stimulating system based on direct action and collaboration! Oh, what a world!
Thanks ItsYourFM, you inspire us!!
Musicians, film makers, wealthy patreons, get in touch with these guys! They're great to work with, show up when they say they will, and quickly deliver really nice footage. FREE resource for artists, but please find a way to recognize and support their labor so they can keep going/giving!
Sometimes it's confusing in a capitalist state to maintain non-profit projects or works, WE KNOW! But then good people like this appear out of nowhere and we can together realize and prove a different system of exchange is possible... A creatively stimulating system based on direct action and collaboration! Oh, what a world!
Thanks ItsYourFM, you inspire us!!
Like / Follow https://www.facebook.com/itsyourfm/
Aranya Bandyopadhyay Youtube Channel
Contact [email protected]
The following videos are from concerts during our
Mukt Bhoomi (Free Earth) Festival at Hihiri Pipiri.
Moumita, Sunirmol, Santosh Daa, Shaoni
Ekram Chacha and Friends,
Paramita Chakraborty, Koustabh Chanda
about the project!
Aranya Bandyopadhyay
" ItsYourFM is a project to grow a community of musicians, music listeners and people who want to document music. Surely the project cannot be understood by only this bit information so I will try to explain a bit more in detail...
HiHiRi PiPiRi is a non-profit Community Space
Artist Residency / Gallery / Library / Garden / Creative Venue
in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.
Artist Residency / Gallery / Library / Garden / Creative Venue
in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.
HiHiRi PiPiRi was born In the Spring of 2018 to address the community need for an unaffiliated free creative venue and studio space (garden, gallery, library of books and instruments) in Santiniketan.
হিহিরি পিপিড়ি-র জন্ম হয়েছিল ২০১৮-র বসন্তে, শান্তিনিকেতনে। আমাদের সকলের সমবেত স্টুডিও অথবা একটা কাজ করার জায়গার(বাগান+ গ্যালারী + বইয়ের লাইব্রেরি এবং বাদ্যযন্ত্র) চাহিদা থেকেই এর যাত্রা শুরু।
Our original concept and motivation was to support local independent (or otherwise 'outsider') artists, who would benefit from a such a center. A center which represents them and helps to sustain their experiments in handicraft, performance, writing, and music by providing facilities and a web of international connections.
আমাদের আসল উদ্দেশ্য ছিল স্থানীয় স্বাধীন অথবা বহিরাগত শিল্পীদের উৎসাহ ও সাহায্য করা, যাতে তারা এই কাজ করার জায়গা থেকে উপকৃত হতে পারে। এ আখড়া তাদের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করবে তাদের বিভিন্ন শিল্প-গবেষণায় উৎসাহ জোগাবে, যেমন- হাতের কাজ, পারফর্মেন্স, লেখালিখি, গান-বাজনা ইত্যাদি। শুধু তাই নয়, আমরা এই শিল্প ও শিল্পীদেরকে আন্তর্জাতিক যোগাযোগে সাহায্য করব।
By initiating a non-profit collective in a restored mud house, we stand to resist the many careless development projects of recent Santiniketan. We hope to replace actions of greed with actions of generosity and community empowerment; the ultimate goal, to provide an alternative to the oppressive capitalist state. And to prove that alternative effective.
আমাদের এই অলাভজনক আখড়ার সূচনা হয়েছিল একটা পুরানো মাটির দোতলা বাড়িকে সারিয়ে তোলার মধ্য দিয়ে। শান্তিনিকেতনে দ্রুত গজাতে থাকা কংক্রিটের জঙ্গলের বিরুদ্ধে আমরা দাঁড়িয়ে। নানাবিধ লোভের বিরুদ্ধে দাঁড়িয়ে কীভাবে সহজভাবে একদল শিল্পীকে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যাওয়া যায় সেটাই আমাদের চেষ্টা। আমাদের আসল লক্ষ্য এই চুড়ান্ত পুঁজিভিত্তিক শিল্প ব্যবস্থার বাইরে এক বিকল্প ব্যবস্থা গড়ে তোলা এবং তা প্রমাণ করা যে এভাবেও শিল্পচর্চা করা যায়।
Our center is especially available to uplift the voices of environmentalist/naturalist, de-colonist, feminist, queer, and egalitarian artists.
আমাদের আখড়া তাই সমস্ত পরিবেশ ও প্রকৃতিবান্ধব, অ-ঔপনিবেশিক, নারীবাদী, সমপ্রেমী ও সমমাত্রিক শিল্পীদের মতামত তুলে ধরার একটা জায়গা।
We are grateful to have the support of a large international network of like-minded artists. We feel hopeful that so many others are beginning and/or sustaining their own similar projects across the world.
সারা পৃথিবীব্যাপী বিভিন্ন সমমনস্ক শিল্পদের সাহায্য পেয়ে আমরা কৃতজ্ঞ। আমাদের দৃঢ় বিশ্বাস যে আমাদের মত সারা পৃথিবীতে আরও অনেকে এই একই ভাবনায় কাজ করছেন।
It is our ambition to connect these initiatives, to register and legitimize each other in order to enable more equal opportunities for global creative exchange. We hope to help artists to travel abroad (defeating the limitations of our passports and borders) by offering valid invitation letters and assistance in other necessary documents.
ভবিষ্যতে আমরা সেসব শিল্পচর্চা ও আয়োজনের সাথে যুক্ত হওয়ার স্বপ্ন দেখি। যাতে ভবিষ্যতে পারস্পরিক যোগাযোগ আমাদের আরও বেশি শৈল্পিক আদান-প্রদানের রাস্তা খুলে দেবে। আমরা চাই যেভাবে এখানের শিল্পীর কাজ বিদেশে পাঠাতে( বর্ডার সংক্রান্ত ধারনার বিরুদ্ধে)। সেভাবেই আমরা চাই আরও অনেক বিদেশের শিল্পীরা এসে শান্তিনিকেতনের মানুষের সাথে মিশুক কাজ করুক। এই কাজে সাংগঠনিকভাবে আমরা সমস্ত চিঠি চালাচালি ও সাহায্য করতে প্রস্তুত।
To support the longevity of our space, please consider donating what you are able.
তাই যাতে এই কারিগর আখড়া দীর্ঘদিন টিকে থাকতে পারে, যতটুকু পারো ততটুকু অর্থ অনুদান করো।
Our hearts to yours,
Hihiri Pipiri
আমাদের হৃদয় তোমাদের জন্য
হিহিরি পিপিড়ি
হিহিরি পিপিড়ি-র জন্ম হয়েছিল ২০১৮-র বসন্তে, শান্তিনিকেতনে। আমাদের সকলের সমবেত স্টুডিও অথবা একটা কাজ করার জায়গার(বাগান+ গ্যালারী + বইয়ের লাইব্রেরি এবং বাদ্যযন্ত্র) চাহিদা থেকেই এর যাত্রা শুরু।
Our original concept and motivation was to support local independent (or otherwise 'outsider') artists, who would benefit from a such a center. A center which represents them and helps to sustain their experiments in handicraft, performance, writing, and music by providing facilities and a web of international connections.
আমাদের আসল উদ্দেশ্য ছিল স্থানীয় স্বাধীন অথবা বহিরাগত শিল্পীদের উৎসাহ ও সাহায্য করা, যাতে তারা এই কাজ করার জায়গা থেকে উপকৃত হতে পারে। এ আখড়া তাদের প্রতিনিধিত্ব করবে তাদের বিভিন্ন শিল্প-গবেষণায় উৎসাহ জোগাবে, যেমন- হাতের কাজ, পারফর্মেন্স, লেখালিখি, গান-বাজনা ইত্যাদি। শুধু তাই নয়, আমরা এই শিল্প ও শিল্পীদেরকে আন্তর্জাতিক যোগাযোগে সাহায্য করব।
By initiating a non-profit collective in a restored mud house, we stand to resist the many careless development projects of recent Santiniketan. We hope to replace actions of greed with actions of generosity and community empowerment; the ultimate goal, to provide an alternative to the oppressive capitalist state. And to prove that alternative effective.
আমাদের এই অলাভজনক আখড়ার সূচনা হয়েছিল একটা পুরানো মাটির দোতলা বাড়িকে সারিয়ে তোলার মধ্য দিয়ে। শান্তিনিকেতনে দ্রুত গজাতে থাকা কংক্রিটের জঙ্গলের বিরুদ্ধে আমরা দাঁড়িয়ে। নানাবিধ লোভের বিরুদ্ধে দাঁড়িয়ে কীভাবে সহজভাবে একদল শিল্পীকে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যাওয়া যায় সেটাই আমাদের চেষ্টা। আমাদের আসল লক্ষ্য এই চুড়ান্ত পুঁজিভিত্তিক শিল্প ব্যবস্থার বাইরে এক বিকল্প ব্যবস্থা গড়ে তোলা এবং তা প্রমাণ করা যে এভাবেও শিল্পচর্চা করা যায়।
Our center is especially available to uplift the voices of environmentalist/naturalist, de-colonist, feminist, queer, and egalitarian artists.
আমাদের আখড়া তাই সমস্ত পরিবেশ ও প্রকৃতিবান্ধব, অ-ঔপনিবেশিক, নারীবাদী, সমপ্রেমী ও সমমাত্রিক শিল্পীদের মতামত তুলে ধরার একটা জায়গা।
We are grateful to have the support of a large international network of like-minded artists. We feel hopeful that so many others are beginning and/or sustaining their own similar projects across the world.
সারা পৃথিবীব্যাপী বিভিন্ন সমমনস্ক শিল্পদের সাহায্য পেয়ে আমরা কৃতজ্ঞ। আমাদের দৃঢ় বিশ্বাস যে আমাদের মত সারা পৃথিবীতে আরও অনেকে এই একই ভাবনায় কাজ করছেন।
It is our ambition to connect these initiatives, to register and legitimize each other in order to enable more equal opportunities for global creative exchange. We hope to help artists to travel abroad (defeating the limitations of our passports and borders) by offering valid invitation letters and assistance in other necessary documents.
ভবিষ্যতে আমরা সেসব শিল্পচর্চা ও আয়োজনের সাথে যুক্ত হওয়ার স্বপ্ন দেখি। যাতে ভবিষ্যতে পারস্পরিক যোগাযোগ আমাদের আরও বেশি শৈল্পিক আদান-প্রদানের রাস্তা খুলে দেবে। আমরা চাই যেভাবে এখানের শিল্পীর কাজ বিদেশে পাঠাতে( বর্ডার সংক্রান্ত ধারনার বিরুদ্ধে)। সেভাবেই আমরা চাই আরও অনেক বিদেশের শিল্পীরা এসে শান্তিনিকেতনের মানুষের সাথে মিশুক কাজ করুক। এই কাজে সাংগঠনিকভাবে আমরা সমস্ত চিঠি চালাচালি ও সাহায্য করতে প্রস্তুত।
To support the longevity of our space, please consider donating what you are able.
তাই যাতে এই কারিগর আখড়া দীর্ঘদিন টিকে থাকতে পারে, যতটুকু পারো ততটুকু অর্থ অনুদান করো।
Our hearts to yours,
Hihiri Pipiri
আমাদের হৃদয় তোমাদের জন্য
হিহিরি পিপিড়ি
Special thanks to Nityananda Mukherjee,
ex-Forestry Department guard,
for the donation of our Banyan sapling :)
We began Mukt Bhoomi (Free Earth) Festival with a tree planting ceremony.
In the early morning, all were invited to meet in the empty lot where our favorite tea stall once stood beneath three very old and beautiful banyan trees.
In the early morning, all were invited to meet in the empty lot where our favorite tea stall once stood beneath three very old and beautiful banyan trees.
One year before, the trees were illegally cut while Santiniketan developers were busy paving new roads. The perfect disguise, de-foresters thought, to cut the trees in broad daylight beside the government road workers... The cost of wood is very high and they would earn a pretty penny selling the lumber of three Grandmother Banyans (Peepal species, actually).
When friends noticed this was happening, we gathered to demonstrate against what we thought was a state action.. But in drawing attention to the tree cutting, we unknowingly revealed the illegal action of the de-foresters. A witness (police? local political party members?) alerted goons/mafia who came to force-ably remove us. Several demonstrators were hospitalized and, for weeks after, were followed and threatened. No one felt safe, many left town. It was weird.
Police quickly made several suspicious arrests, wrongly accusing the sons of the nearby shopkeepers who demonstrators know for certain were innocent. This of course silenced the shopkeepers from making any further statements. We never learned of the correct arrests of our attackers.
When friends noticed this was happening, we gathered to demonstrate against what we thought was a state action.. But in drawing attention to the tree cutting, we unknowingly revealed the illegal action of the de-foresters. A witness (police? local political party members?) alerted goons/mafia who came to force-ably remove us. Several demonstrators were hospitalized and, for weeks after, were followed and threatened. No one felt safe, many left town. It was weird.
Police quickly made several suspicious arrests, wrongly accusing the sons of the nearby shopkeepers who demonstrators know for certain were innocent. This of course silenced the shopkeepers from making any further statements. We never learned of the correct arrests of our attackers.
The trees were cut, I believe the wood was confiscated from de-foresters (also suspicious), the tea stalls were evicted, and the area was demolished for future development plans that we have yet to see.
What happened (the violence) made national news, many respected environmentalists became involved in the discussion, and so on. But soon, the people moved on and the whole situation felt forgotten. The environmental destruction continues, trees are cut everyday for new resorts, and the surrounding local people are being pushed out in the name of development and 'beautification.'
So, that's the story. We hosted Mukt Bhoomi in remembrance of this. That morning we sat and drank tea surrounding a baby Banyan sapling, then together walked across town to the river, hoping this would be a safe place for our new friend to grow.. we planted and had a bath in the Kopai.
What happened (the violence) made national news, many respected environmentalists became involved in the discussion, and so on. But soon, the people moved on and the whole situation felt forgotten. The environmental destruction continues, trees are cut everyday for new resorts, and the surrounding local people are being pushed out in the name of development and 'beautification.'
So, that's the story. We hosted Mukt Bhoomi in remembrance of this. That morning we sat and drank tea surrounding a baby Banyan sapling, then together walked across town to the river, hoping this would be a safe place for our new friend to grow.. we planted and had a bath in the Kopai.
Even if we could only get 10 people to show up for the 7am meeting.. Even if the shopkeepers were the only ones to notice or understand what we were doing... Even if it was just one sapling.... It was a very special ceremony. I won't forget when we silently chose to sit still as the rain came and went.
Our sign read, ''we are remembering the trees who were killed.''
Sadly, the development of another resort has fast surrounded our peaceful riverside refuge and we cannot be certain how long the Banyan will be safe there.. To water our Banyan and access the river, we must now jump a fence... The symbolism is uncanny...
Sadly, the development of another resort has fast surrounded our peaceful riverside refuge and we cannot be certain how long the Banyan will be safe there.. To water our Banyan and access the river, we must now jump a fence... The symbolism is uncanny...
Article by Sophie Ray Lee on behalf of Hihiri Pipiri
-Introduction, Poteca Artist Talk (March 1, 2019)
''It's our pleasure to introduce Alexandru Poteca! Our short-term Artist Resident of the last week or so. He heard about us, came to visit, and five minutes later perfectly requested, ''Hey can I stay here and make some works?''
After getting to know Alex and his practice we've come to know he's very spatially observant, always noticing the story a place can tell, especially through its forgotten objects.
In his Artists Statement Poteca writes,
''It is a method of re-conceptualizing cultural artifacts through underlining, collecting and archiving them, but! more importantly, changing their connotation and offering them a new significance through a process of actualization.''
''It's our pleasure to introduce Alexandru Poteca! Our short-term Artist Resident of the last week or so. He heard about us, came to visit, and five minutes later perfectly requested, ''Hey can I stay here and make some works?''
After getting to know Alex and his practice we've come to know he's very spatially observant, always noticing the story a place can tell, especially through its forgotten objects.
In his Artists Statement Poteca writes,
''It is a method of re-conceptualizing cultural artifacts through underlining, collecting and archiving them, but! more importantly, changing their connotation and offering them a new significance through a process of actualization.''
Photography by Sarvajaya Chaudhuri
Many friends were energized to work alongside our short term Artist in Residence Alexandru Poteca, these photos show what it looked like to visit the house at that time.