Instagram, the land of endless scrolling and curated perfection, rarely surprises me. So, when an image from The India Story art exhibition popped onto my feed, I dismissed it as just another flashy event. Little did I know, that a few days later, I’d be standing amidst the vibrant chaos of Swabhumi.

The catalyst for this unexpected art adventure was Andrea, whose enthusiasm for all things creative is infectious. Her casual, “Have you seen The India Story? We should check it out!” was met with my predictable, “Meh, probably just another overcrowded, overpriced festival.” Enter Kervin, the self-proclaimed hater of everything (and a notorious boredom magnet), who surprisingly claimed that it is, “Actually, it’s pretty cool.“ He had worked in Swabhumi for a while and been to the event once. Intrigued by Kervin’s unexpected endorsement, we decided to give it a shot.

Stepping into Swabhumi on January 12th, the first day of the event, was like entering a portal to a world spun from vibrant hues. The art forms danced across mediums – paintings pulsed with life, sculptures whispered enigmatic narratives, and video projections blurred the lines between reality and imagination. Every corner held a surprise, every step a new artistic encounter.

So, as I write this, with the promise of a Sunday return to Swabhumi swirling in my thoughts, I leave you with this: if you’re looking for an experience that will leave you with a heart full of artistic wonder, The India Story awaits. Trust me, it’s far more than just another Instagram scroll.

The Second Visit

As promised we went back on Sunday. The evening took an unexpected turn from the start. Despite booking an Uber, we found ourselves merely 1 km away from our destination when the roads abruptly closed, leaving us without any explanation. For the next 15 minutes, we navigated through a labyrinth of blocked lanes, ultimately resorting to walking. Unfortunately, I hadn’t dressed warmly enough, and the cold added an unexpected challenge.

After another brisk 15-minute walk, we finally arrived at The India Story. Eager to share the experience with our friend Andre, who was visiting for the first time, we revisited each detail and captured countless photographs.

For the first time I saw something similar to a Chinese dragon dance. Andrea had visited Purulia recently and learned about it, it’s the Chhau Dance of Purulia.

We finally tried Kinky’s fried chicken, the “Thai Boom Boom” we ordered turned out to be a small serving of six chicken pieces with Sweet Chilli Sauce and Mayo dripped over it, nothing great or good.

As we strolled through the venue, the revelation behind the road closures unfolded – a minister had come to the venue.

Once we were done we booked an Uber to Quest Mall, concluding the day with Beef Biryani from Zam Zam.

The India Story 2024

Dates: January 12th to 14th, 2024

Venue: Swabhumi, Kolkata

Organizer: Neotia Arts Trust

Theme: This year's theme is "TIS 8.0: Beyond Borders" which focuses on celebrating the diversity and dynamism of Indian art and culture, transcending geographic boundaries.

What to Expect:

Artworks: The exhibition features a diverse range of artworks from established and emerging contemporary Indian artists, across various mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and video art.

Events: Besides the art displays, there are also live performances, workshops, talks, and panel discussions scheduled throughout the three days.

Experience: The India Story aims to provide a multi-sensory experience that immerses visitors in the richness and vibrancy of Indian art and culture.

Additional Information:

Website: https://www.theindiastory.in/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindiastory

Note: All the images present in this coverage are copyrighted and owned by Craig Gomes. If you wish to use these images or have any inquiries, you are advised to get in touch through craiggomes.com