VISHWA DA’S PAINTINGS: UNIQUE GOLD MINE
Vishwa Guhathakurta’s Paintings on Nature
FACE TO FACE WITH SANDIP RAY
Interview by Subhabrata Nandi (www.artwaveindia.com)
Subhabrata Nandi: You have known Vishwa Guhathakurta since quite a few years now? How many years?
Sandip Ray: Vishwa da, rather, my acquaintance with Guhathakurta family dates back to several years. Practically, our families are related. I have known Vishwa da, Rono da (Rono Guhathakurta) and Bapi da (Sudeb Guhathakurta) since ages. However, I am still slowly discovering the multiple facets of Vishwa da’s talents. He is a gifted singer, a pianist and a remarkable actor at the same time. Interestingly, not often do we find one with all of these three virtues together and he is extremely skilful in all of these. As far as I know he is self taught. Definitely he is multi-talented and gifted. I have seen him act in numerous movies. Then comes ‘Phatik Chand’ (Award winning children’s movie in Bengali, based on Satyajit Ray’s novel, with which Sandip Ray made his directorial debut) in 1983. Vishwa da was tremendously good in the movie. Though I knew him from before, our interactions and bonding grew deeper since then. My father started falling sick and enormous troubles began cropping up. It was for Vishwa da that ‘Satyajit Ray Presents- One’ could continue with its glory. He introduced me to Mr. Amit Sengupta, helmsman of Duncan. It would have been impossible without Vishwa da.
Subhabrata: I remember Vishwa da telling me that he had told Satyajit Ray that if Hollywood can have ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’, then why can we not have ‘Satyajit Ray Presents’? Satyajit Ray had then spoken about the heavy expense which would be incurred for this to which Vishwa da replied that he would be looking into this and that Satyajit Ray should focus on the stories.
Sandip Ray: Yes, Vishwa da is helpful. I haven’t seen many like him. He keeps quiet about his benevolence. He loves and adores the people he likes and is ready to get to every extreme for them. And that is what he did for us. His dedication is worth mentioning. He was determinate to have ‘Satyajit Ray Presents’ by hook or by crook. His resolution yielded result. Not only could we come up with ‘Satyajit Ray Presents – 1’ but also with ‘Satyajit Ray Presents – 2’; where he acted in ‘Halki Barish’ with Supriya Pathak. He was extremely good. Our bonding started growing closer and closer. We did a shooting in their house; hence we started visiting each other. My father, Satyajit Ray, was very fond of him. He made him act in his renowned movies like ‘Ganashatru’ and ‘Shakhaprashakha’. Another famous personality who was very fond of him was Tapan Sinha. He admired Vishwa da’s skills of acting.
Subhabrata: It is heard that Vishwa da used to visit your father once a week to discuss various matters. Could you please throw some light on this?
Sandip Ray: I exactly cannot tell you about what used to be their topic of conversation. Vishwa da himself can tell you. It was not that I could always participate in their discussions. It often happened that I returned home from outside and found them both engaged in conversation.
Subhabrata: Vishwa da is painting since the last ten years. When did you first come to know of this?
Sandip Ray: Initially I did not know. He had given me his painting inspired by my father’s movie ‘Pather Panchali’. Surprised I asked him, “When did you start this?” I was amazed at the professionalism and the respect for the subject, his painting emanated. In fact it reflected his admiration for my father. Even though I am not an expert art critic, I had a gut feeling. ‘Pather Panchali’ is embedded in my system and a painting inspired by that, clearly reflecting the painter’s feelings about Satyajit Ray, the creator of ‘Pather Panchali’, is not something casual. He has painted in different styles and using various mediums later.
Another noticeable feature of Vishwa da is that he never asked for roles. He can never do that. He has an unusual ego which prevents him from doing so, most likely because of his family background. And thankfully he has that. He is not exactly the cliché type from the industry. Basically, he cannot beg for roles. He has acted in many of our movies; some of which are extremely good and popular. Let’s take, ‘Doctor Munshir Diary’, from the Feluda Series. He has been fabulous, in fact, much more that I expected from him. What worried me was he was not getting roles and as already discussed, he would never go and ask for one. What bothered me more was that how would he be engaged, he wasn’t even old then. This was when he chose painting. Another window opened for him thankfully of which he didn’t even expect. I am sure that he thinks that he has done nothing much yet.
Subhabrata: That is what he told me. He asked, “Shubho please tell me, what do I do with these paintings?”
Sandip Ray: Some of his works are extraordinary. I am all the more astonished because he is untrained and has never been to any art college. There is an admirable raw element to his paintings. I cannot figure out, how is he displaying such brilliance?
Subhabrata: Yes, the scale of work is remarkable too…full sheet, 22 inches by 30 inches…
Sandip Ray: Yes pretty large scale! The ones at home are indeed large. There is something amazing about them. In fact, I am flabbergasted.
Subhabrata: He uses absolute creativity to paint the landscapes. He doesn’t go outdoors. What do you have to say about that?
Sandip Ray: Mostly artists who paint landscapes are seen working outdoors at the spot they create on their canvas, seated with an easel amidst nature. Then some abstract idea may strike them and a unique piece is created. But someone doing this all at home is absolutely surprising. I am speaking from my gut feeling. His work is unpredictably unique; not a single one being similar to the other. His works express variety and fun. His colouring style is distinctive and special. It is unimaginably raw and original. You can be a better judge of this since you studied art. I actually feel that Vishwa da taking up painting is appalling and that even if he doesn’t realize this, people must know of this. He could have been a busy actor or a musician. Yes, he could have been a musician because he is a gifted singer and pianist at the same time. Had he been totally into acting or music he could have attained tremendous fame and popularity but then we would not have found this artistic side of Vishwa da. This talent is a gold mine; we would have missed unearthing this. In a way, this has been a blessing in disguise. This hidden talent or inner eye had to be discovered.
Subhabrata: Vishwa da actually never spoke about this publicly. I have seen and studied his work and requested him for this exhibition. He was apprehensive and was negating my proposal initially. I almost forcibly made him finally accept the proposal of the exhibition.
Sandip Ray: As I already said he never beats his own cover. He never did and in future too, he will never be able to. Since you took the initiative, the exhibition is taking place finally. He trusts you and believe me his affection for you is pure. It is important that he remains in the best of health and continues painting.
Subhabrata: The title of his exhibition is ‘Essence of Serenity — the silent melody of Nature’. This is the central theme of his landscapes. From where do you think; he draws inspiration?
Sandip Ray: I believe Vishwa da himself can best answer this question. It is difficult for me to explain. This is so psychological, that only the creator of such paintings can best explain. Have you noticed any human figures in Vishwa da’s paintings? Even if they exist, they are small. Even in his ‘Pather Panchali’ inspired painting; there exist Apu, Durga, Kash but all in small scale. It is a long composition, not mid or close. Vishwa himself can best explain the reason for such a perspective of nature.
Subhabrata: When we go to Vishwa da’s house at Santiniketan, he sits and sings in the garden. He has often told me, “Nature is everything. Sit amidst nature. The more you spend time amidst nature, the more you will learn. Nature is the greatest and the ultimate teacher. Nature is limitless and does not divide. There’s no rich, no poor; to nature. Human beings are tied to nature.”
Sandip Ray: Perfect! Actually, their house in Santiniketan is a beautiful one with tremendous good and happy vibes. Not many houses have that. In fact he is a pure soul. For example, his affection for you; there is absolutely nothing fake in it. Vishwa da is a different personality. I haven’t met someone like him with such a genuine attitude. Seriously! This exhibition that you have planned is extremely significant. His skill of painting demands growth. Vishwa da turning into a painter was pretty unexpected.
Subhabrata: Do you find an impact of spirituality in his painting?
Sandip Ray: It is a reflection of what he told you about nature…you just said…it is exactly so. That’s the answer to your question. Nature is the truth. There is no pretence and nothing fake in nature. Nature is absolutely pure. I am actually speaking his words in a different manner. He is successfully expressing what he is thinking or what he believes. Not many can do so.
Vishwa da has another quality which I have to share. He is a brilliant raconteur and if he starts speaking, you will be engrossed. He is too good to be true in today’s world. If you want to hurt him, you easily can. He is too pure and too simple. Our bonding has become rock solid since 1983, from the time of ‘Phatik Chand’. We just knew each other before that. Our friendship, the real closeness developed from ’83 and still persists. I have never heard him criticize anyone. It’s odd but true. Even if I criticize someone or something, he just seems to overlook it. As if he doesn’t care. He really doesn’t. It is rare to find an unadulterated and pure soul like him. In fact, in today’s world it is next to impossible.
Subhabrata: May be it is because of his nature, your father, the great Satyajit Ray, was so affectionate towards him.
Sandip Ray: Yes indeed. He was very fond of him. It is because of this Vishwa da, unlike most others, could tell my father whatever he wanted to. My father had granted that freedom to him. Vishwa da threw all sorts of questions to my dad and surprisingly he answered them all. Had it been someone else, he would have been irritated and given a piece of mind. The most important thing is that my father enjoyed his presence. While my father worked, if any visitor would come to meet him; after ten minutes he would say, “I am a little busy today, you should leave now”. He never told this to Vishwa da in times like these. My father adored Vishwa da and equally respected him as well. They had an unmatched chemistry. Vishwa da’s sense of humour also deserves a special mention. We say jokes but he would present them much more humorously. He would say some which I cannot even tell you but his presentation would always be remarkable, proving that he was a tremendous actor. He is an animated story teller. Watching and listening to Vishwa da telling a story is always fun.
Subhabrata: When you were shooting ‘Chaar’, Subrata Lahiri (Satyajit Ray’s assistant and later Sandip Ray’s) had told me at Santiniketan about what Satyajit Ray remarked about Vishwa da to Anil Chowdhury while shooting for ‘Shakhaprashakha’. He said, “I have discovered Vishwa in my days of illness, had I discovered him earlier, I could have made him enact numerous roles. It is rare to find such a natural actor.” Vishwa da had then just left the floor after the shot. The moment he returned Anil babu enthusiastically said, “Vishwa you have already received the Oscar.” He then reiterated Manik da’s words. Vishwa da was unmove.vmf.d by the praises. Anyone else would have been on cloud nine.
Sandip Ray: The reason is Vishwa da did not much worry about his roles; he took it easy and was absolutely spontaneous. There are many who get nervous in front of the camera. Why only the camera; even the ‘action clap’ in front of your face robs away all your confidence instantly. I have also noticed how focused he is. Even after a good dose of jokes and talking, the moment the camera starts rolling, Vishwa da instantly transports into the role, a different humanbeing. He is always well prepared, yet effortless. However, he has decided not to act again. What more can I say? He still has time to rethink and come back. He attains excellence in whatever he does. As already mentioned earlier, he is a gifted pianist. After my father’s demise, we often requested him to play the piano whenever he came to visit us. We listened in awe. Vishwa da had clicked a nice photo of Souradip, my son, learning how to play the piano and my mom, Bijoya Ray, standing beside him. As he has terrific knowledge about singing too, I have taken his help for a singing sequence in the movie ‘Bosepukure Khunkharapi’. I told that I required a typical ‘paladharmi’ (Songs used in street plays) song to which he said that he would look into it. A lot of people make such false promises. For him it is never like that. Just after two days he called me to inform about such a song. He said, “A recently written song has been found; the type of song you were looking for. Please listen.” I heard the song over phone and liked it. We finalized it over the telephonic conversation itself. He said, “Okay then, I will ask the guy to fine tune it a little more. I just wanted you to hear once.” This dedication and seriousness in him has an old world charm to it.
Subhabrata: ‘Painting and Vishwa Guhathakurta’- please share what you realize as a close friend.
Sandip Ray: The entire thing, as mentioned earlier, is extremely unexpected to me. I knew Vishwa da as a singer, actor and a performer. But painting? Vishwa da as a painter – I was surprised. I was speechless when he gifted me the painting of ‘Pather Panchali’. Startled, I asked him, “You painted this?” He answered, “Because I do not have any work now, I started this.” After that I had seen his paintings either through you or when I visited his house. All of them are not coloured. Actually he is trying out several techniques. Even the canvas sizes are not similar; they are small, medium and large. I was amazed by his use of colours and he applies them with tremendous confidence. He is sure of the colours he wants to use, he does not believe in ‘trial and error’ method. Therefore, his paintings create a strong impact which leaves a mark. I want him to continue painting. He must. He has to continue because we still have to unbox a lot of surprise gifts from Vishwa da.
(English Version by Dipannita Bhattacherya)