Kolkata honours artist Shanu Lahiri through Durga Puja sculpture revival

Kolkata's artistic community is marking a poignant milestone this Durga Puja season with the recovery and public display of a lost sculpture by the late artist Shanu Lahiri. The recovered work, which had been missing for years, will now serve as a focal point for festivities across the city, drawing renewed attention to Lahiri's contributions to Bengal's contemporary art scene.

The sculpture's rediscovery comes as Kolkata prepares for its annual celebration of the goddess Durga, when the city transforms with elaborate pandals and artistic installations. Cultural organisations have seized the opportunity to weave Lahiri's artistic legacy into the broader fabric of the Puja festivities, ensuring that both traditional and modern artistic expressions find space within the celebrations.

Shanu Lahiri was recognised for his distinctive approach to sculpture, blending traditional Bengali aesthetic sensibilities with contemporary artistic practice. His works have been featured in various exhibitions across India, and his passing represented a significant loss to the city's creative community.

The decision to highlight Lahiri's recovered work during Durga Puja reflects growing efforts among Kolkata's cultural institutions to preserve and celebrate the contributions of regional artists. The move is expected to inspire broader conversations about artist archival practices and the importance of documenting India's contemporary art heritage.