Around 100 sculptures crafted by artists in Tripura being installed in PM Modi's constituency Varanasi

Agartala (Tripura) [India], May 2 : Around 100 sculptures crafted by a team of Tripura artists are now being installed in various locations of Varanasi city. It should be noted that Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The sculptures were crafted in two phases under the supervision of Lalit Kala Akademi and NEZCC (North East Zone Culture Centre) respectively.
The development came as a big inspiration for the artists associated with Lalit Kala Akademi, Tripura housed in the Nazrul Kalakshetra.
The second phase of the project was undertaken jointly by the Railway Ministry and the Ministry of Culture. The aim was to recycle the waste iron scrap and give it the shape of a sculpture. Apart from that, some marble embellished works were also done.
A noted artist from Tripura Suman Majumder was appointed the coordinator for the unique project. After consultation, it was decided that the North East Zone Culture Centre (NEZCC) would supervise the whole project.
Speaking exclusively to ANI, Project Coordinator and Board Member of Lalit Kala Akademi Suman Majumder said, "Many of the sculptures are now in transit. The sculptures were created using fiber materials and later paints were used for giving the final shape."
According to Majumder, a couple of projects were completed here in the Lalit Kala Akademi centre set up here in Agartala. "One year has already passed after the sculpture camp was organized as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav campaign. In the national camps, 30 to 35 sculptors participated here. Another project on unsung freedom fighters was conducted. Azadi. In 50 schools, Tripura artists painted mural paintings on the theme of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Later, a portrait camp was organized under which busts of unsung freedom fighters were crafted," said Majumder.
On the Varanasi beautification project, he said, "In November and December we had conducted the workshop for sculptures that were supposed to be installed in various locations of Varanasi city. Lalit Kala Akademi and NEZCC partially sponsored the workshop. Some sculptures are still being made in Madhya Pradesh which will also be installed in Varanasi. In Tripura, around 90 artists have worked and more than 40 compositions were prepared."
Some of the notable compositions that have been crafted by the sculptors of Tripura include an Idol of Nataraj, eight classical dance forms, and a composition on the theme of patriotism that showcases women and men armed forces making a march waving the tricolour high. Themes like spirituality, music and sports also got equal attention in the creation of artistic marvels.
Sharing his experience, Artist Pritam Debnath said, "A total of 100 sculptures were crafted here. We learnt a lot of new techniques. The theme in which I have worked was related to dance and the iconic Ganga Arati. We worked using techniques like clay modelling, plaster and fibre casting." Speaking to ANI, artist Kush Debnath said, "I feel proud as an artist from Tripura that we could contribute something to such a big place. We are very happy that our compositions will get wider display in a city like Varanasi."