This painting was created in Kolkata,West Bengal,India in the year 1996, but is currently at Prinseps,an auction house,Mumbai,Maharashtra.
The artwork "HANSA DOOT" by Kalipada Ghoshal is an exquisite portray of Ghoshal's wonderful skills. Kalipada Ghoshal was born in Howrah,West Bengal and was a student at Indian Society of Oriental Art and a member of Abanindranath Tagore's Bengal School of Art.
In this painting Ghoshal has depicted a beautiful woman sitting on the floor, feeding a swan ( Hansa) delicately. Ghoshal adapted to Bengal School's methods through the use of fine brush strokes and the use of natural colours and settings relating to Indian traditions also incorporating Japanese painting style and techniques that he studied under Yokoyama Taikan like fine line work and atmospheric details. This title of the painting HANSA DOOT means Swan messenger, which is inspired by Indian traditions. In Indian literature the swan represent purity,love,wisdom and grace. The swan portrayed here isn't merely a bird but also symbol of love,hope and emotional messenger as it often is said to have been carrying messages amongst separated lovers. The woman's calm tranquil posture,tender gestures and compassionate expressions indicate that she's either sending a message to her lover or is waiting for one. This creates a serene atmosphere of yearning,dedication and a feeling of zen. Instead of depicting a dramatic scene of a lover's wait,this painting depicts a calm scene,Hansa Doot captures a calm contemplative moment. The work indicates emotions like longing,love and dedication. The swan here depicts purity and the woman shows strength. Through the simplicity,grace and symbolism Ghoshal transforms a simple scene to an eternal work that depicts love,longing and devotion.
The art work Hansa doot by Kalipada Ghoshal, one of the renowned work by the artist of modern art era who belonged to Bengal school of art. Kalipada Ghoshal was a student of Abindernath Tagore and learned the "wash" technique from him. He mastered the technique and can see it in his work like HANSA DOOT.
The swan potrayed in the painting often portrayed as a symbol of purity, wisdom and a messenger carrying emotions, while the woman seem someone waiting, yearning and longing for her loved one.
Kalipada Ghoshal was also influenced by Japanese painting technique, which can be seen in fine lines and calm composition and delicate brushwork.
However to me, the painting express something beyond romantic love. The serene, calm posture of the women and swan sitting beside her shows strength in the silence. Hope is not only the feeling the women was feeling but to me, the artist seems to suggest hope itself should never be lost no matter what one is waiting for.
The subtle message of faith and optimism makes this artwork emotionally more powerful and allows masses to connect with it in their own way.
