The Art of Bengal and the Art of Giving

When it comes to the richness of art and culture, West Bengal stands out to be one of the most unique and diverse states. The various foreign reigns have highly influenced the art and architecture of the state. However, Bengal prides itself on the imprint which it carries beyond the foreign influences, ancient and modern. 

The foreign powers play a major role in the gradual changes that influenced the arts and crafts, providing an artistic diversity in the forms of dance, music, traditional handicrafts, painting, and carving. The stronghold of art and creativity makes the state the cultural capital of India.

Arts and Handicrafts of West Bengal

Dokra 

Originated in the Bikna village of Bankura district of West Bengal, Dokra metal craft is considered as one of the oldest forms of metal casting, which dates back to five thousand years ago.

The Dokra Damar tribes, the traditional metal-smiths of Bengal have survived the test of times and even in recent years, their handcrafted products are found to be in great demand. Dokra metal items illustrate beauty in form of primitive simplicity with enthralling folk motifs.

The unique technique involves crafting the replica of the desired product with wax. The intricate detailing and designs are created in this process on a clay core. After drying it under the sun, the wax is replaced with molten metal by the traditional hollow casting method. Dokra horses, owls, elephants, lamp caskets, etc., are highly in demand.

Terracotta

The Terracotta handicraft of Bengal dates back years, but it got global recognition in 1952 when the Central Cottage Industries Emporium chose the ‘Bankura Horse’ as its logo. Bishnupur in Bankura district shelters several terracotta temples, whose exquisite carvings illustrate tales from Ramayana and Mahabharata. 

Apart from that, terracotta horses and elephants, accessories such as costume jewellery, wall decorations, and utility items like holders, and bowls have gained much prominence throughout the country.

Clay Art

Bengal’s indigenous history speaks at length about the clay idols that have gained prominence in the Ghurni area of Nadia district. The potter communities are highly skilled in crafting dolls out of soft clay and fired-clay. 

Some popular dolls are Tusu dolls and Hingul dolls of Bishnupur, Kanthalia dolls of Murshidabad, Jo dolls of Medinipur, and Shiva Head of Nabadwip. 

Patachitra & Kalighat Painting

The traditional scroll painting known as Patachitra is a live example of vibrant Bengali art and culture. The artists, known as “Patuas,” illustrate mythological tales, folklore, and social messages on canvases or scrolls made of fabric or paper using natural dyes and colours. Kalighat Paintings, a Bengali folk art is enthralling due to its minute details, vivid colours, and narrative appeal.

Kantha Embroidery 

Bengali women in the countryside still engage in the traditional craft of Kantha embroidery of Bengal, which is renowned for its exquisite threadwork. With the use of vibrant threads, layers of sarees are stitched together to create stunning patterns and motifs to make Kantha work sarees and other furnishing items. Today you can find this Bengali art in Kantha dupattas, blankets, Kantha bedspreads, and much more. Kantha embroidery exhibits the artistry of needlework and the ability to tell a story through the cloth.

Traditional Bengali Sarees

West Bengal is home to different types of Bengali sarees which are known for excellent craftsmanship. Traditional Bengali sarees are known for their beauty, complex patterns, and symbolic meanings. They are an essential component of the state’s identity and reflect Bengal’s rich past and customs.

Everything earned from our website goes for the Art of Giving (AOG)

Art of Giving (AOG)

It starts on the premise that it is a basic human desire and nature to seek happiness and peace. But in the course of material pursuits, sometimes human beings as the most evolved characters lose this intrinsic habit and get jaundiced by self-interests. It is solely for this reason that AOG should be consciously practiced so that there is a proliferation of peace and happiness in the world. It is an attempt to heal the world and create a sea-change by spreading the message of Hope and Harmony transcending borders, castes, creeds, and nationality strengthened by the bonds of humanity.

Giving is a selfless and helpful action motivated by the desire to help another person without the expectation of any reward or even avoidance of punishment in return. It is a natural instinct in humans, which if practiced can help create a society where peace and compassion take centre stage. It is through practicing these principles of AOG, that society can create a space of sustainable co-existence. This informs the origin, evolution, and growth of AOG.

We at Uma Dream Foundation is deriving pleasure fom it and is practicing it and spreading the message

What is the mission of Uma Dream Foundation

Uma Dream Foundation’s mission is to empower underprivileged children, youth and their families and community through relevant education, innovative healthcare.

To arrange financial help and assistance to the needy students in their pursuing  their studies, award scholarships, prizes, give books and other aids as a philanthropic mission.

To organize students’ hostel for students hailing from families with below poverty line or very poor stratum with the sole objective of supporting meritorious poor students as a mission of charity and not for making profit.

To help or support generously in the activities of the government, semi-government or non-government organizations in diffusion of knowledge as a regular programme.

Conclusion

The Art of Giving is not a new concept; it has been practiced for centuries. Needless to say, charity is an important tenet of every religion, because compassion is essential for spiritual life. In Indian scriptures, ‘daan’ or charity occupies a very prominent place. Every religion preaches the same ideology of philanthropy, be it the Quran’s “sadaqah” or “zakat”, Buddhism’s charity to the needy; Jainism’s charity of offering food, saving lives of others in danger, distributing medicine and spreading knowledge; Judaism’s Tzedakah meaning justice or righteousness to denote charity; Christianity’s expression of charity as an essential component of faith and Zoroastrianism that considers poverty and suffering as an affliction of evil; hence it is the duty of every individual to fight this evil.

The Art of Giving community has brought a fresh perspective to the concept of giving back to society. The organization’s philosophy of giving without expecting anything in return has touched numerous lives and has inspired millions to join the cause. The International Day of Art of Giving serves as a reminder to all of us that we can make a positive difference in someone’s life through simple acts of kindness, love, and gratitude. The Art of Giving community is a shining example of how one person’s actions can have a ripple effect and change the world for the better.