Over 100 unseen works of Shanu Lahiri on display in Kolkata's Galerie 88
Times of India | 3 April 2025
Lahiri’s works, including one on Rashbehari Avenue KOLKATA: Over 100 never-seen-before drawings, paintings on newsprint rolls and sculptures of painter and pedagogue Shanu Lahiri are on display in the city. Lahiri, fondly known as Shanu di, was an extraordinary artist who worked for more than six decades. Besides practising public art and writing, Lahiri formed a women artists’ collective called ‘The Group’ with Karuna Saha, Santosh Rohatgi, and Shyamasree Basu. Amongst the 106 exhibits in small size on display at Galerie 88 at the exhibition titled ‘Anonymous?’, merely four have been previously shown in the city.
Diverse pieces created over her six-decade career as a painter and pedagogue
Damayanti Lahiri, the painter’s daughter, doesn’t mind when told that the endeavour of finding these works is almost akin to discovering a new facet about her mother that is largely unknown. Just ten days ago, whilst clearing the attic of the artist’s studio in Lake Town, the research workers at the Shanu Lahiri Archives stumbled upon two oversized jatra posters. Those posters are not part of the exhibition but two other posters on display are equally interesting.
"On the same day we discovered the jatra posters, we had another splendid discovery whilst taking out the canvases from the attic of her studio. We stumbled upon two poster-like works that were presumably part of her work on the Metro. These discoveries reveal a playful side to the painter and pedagogue Shanu Lahiri that the city hasn’t got to see," she said.
The experience of stumbling upon some new work in the most unassuming of places is both “joyous” and “overwhelming”. Few can understand how it is to live with so many memories tumbling out from the many nooks and cranny of the house can be a strange experience.
"Many ask what it was like growing up with her. I never thought they were any different. But now I realise it was different. Ma was wielding the palette and ladle with equal dexterity. She would paint on anything she laid her hands on. That included match boxes, calendars, newsprints and even pizza boxes!" Damayanti said.
A playful and light-hearted touch of artistry
The works on pizza boxes are no longer there. But those on calendars and newsprints have survived. Supriya Banerjee of Galerie '88 characterises Lahiri as “exceptionally creative and prolific”. “I have seen a few distinguished artists like MF Husain and FN Souza who could never remain idle without expressing their creativity. Husain once told me light-heartedly that I am akin to a street performer and can paint anywhere. Shanu-di embodied the same energy, never squandering any piece of paper,” Banerjee said. Lahiri passed away in 2013.
"I have visited her residence and observed these works, and told Damayanti that it is crucial for Kolkata to witness these works. The contemporary generation ought to experience the art she created," Banerjee expressed.
One interesting work on display is her sketch of Rashbehari Avenue that was part of the Buddhadev Bose Centenary Lecture she had given at Jadavpur University.
"It is a remarkable reflective mind map, juxtaposed with the spine of a fish. It highlights how this space was once alive with eminent personalities who shaped the rich tapestry of Kolkata while living in parallel within the neighbourhood. The trams, once the heart of public transport, captivated the artist, inspiring her to reflect on them through her art and writings,” said Nobina Gupta, the curator of the show.