As we begin our conversation, I am instantly struck by the love and passion she holds for the art form. Soma Chakraborty Debnath is an artist who specializes in Madhubani art. Well, ‘specialize’ is just another way of conveying the fact that she has been producing incredibly beautiful creative pieces for quite some time now. Currently residing in the UK, Soma, as an artist, wishes, now, to familiarise others with the rich and stunning cultural art history of her country.
Hailing from Jalpaiguri, Soma recalls her home fondly, reminiscing on the lush tea gardens that surround the city, before she dives into how she actually chose to get into Madhubani as an art form. Though she had been painting almost all her life, she never actually thought about dedicating herself to art as a serious pursuit. Around the time of her son’s birth, roughly around five years ago, Soma wished to do something that helped her unwind from all the new responsibilities that came with being a parent. She began to paint once again. In the beginning, it was for a few spare minutes, perhaps half an hour at most. When she was looking up creative pieces and researching varying art forms that existed, she came across Madhubani art. Feeling an instant draw towards it, she soon began to push herself to practice it more. Soon enough, she began to share her work with a few close friends. It wasn’t long before the people she showed it to wanted to buy her artwork. Soma, ever the humble artist, chalked it up to her friends being supportive of her newfound passion. What she didn’t realise, at the time, was that she was already a phenomenal artist in her own right.
When she did realise the value in what she was creating, Soma began to post her artwork online. Offers to purchase her incredible pieces came in once again. This time, however, these offers were from complete strangers. It was at this point, as she says, that she gained more confidence and decided to take things a little more seriously.
It is important to note, before we go any further, that Soma’s journey, as an artist practicing Madhubani as an art form, is one of self-education. In the conversation, she reveals how she really had no familiarity with other more established artists in the form. Everything she did and learnt, she did on her own. Of course, she did look up to the works of artists that she came across and felt inspired by. Celebrated artists, such as Bharti Dayal and Santosh Kumar Jha, all had a major influence on Soma’s foundations as a Madhubani artist. In fact, she credits the works of Santosh Kumar Jha as being a vital source of inspiration and for helping her come into her own style as an artist. As we talk more on the topic, I learn that, now, she has come across multiple people who practice folk art forms and, in fact, cherishes their knowledge and experiences as artists and, perhaps more importantly, peers.
Now, as I write this, Soma has a considerable following on her social media platforms, a following that comes from the appreciation and admiration that people have for her work. Of course, it is easier now to go online and look at her artwork. Everything is now more readily accessible to us. However, in the context of art and artists, exhibitions are crucial. Not just in terms of showcasing your work but also in regard to gaining exposure as an artist. When she first began, Soma admits being a little hesitant, unsure of whether she would find an audience in the UK that her work would resonate with. There was also the fact that she and her husband had just become new parents at the time. Still, she found time to participate in the local art exhibitions. As she explains, in the beginning, it was all baby steps for her.
The response that she got at those exhibitions made her understand geographical boundaries don’t really play a part when it comes to appreciating art. Just recently, Soma was runner-up in the prestigious Rugby Open exhibition which takes place in the Rugby Museum and Art Gallery. The chance to just showcase a part of her country’s cultural history is something that, Soma says, is an honour in itself. And I am glad she brought up this thread.
As a member of the newer generation of artists practicing Madhubani art, Soma feels it is crucial that she, as an artist, respects the cultural traditions of the art form but also tries to introduce something new and socially relevant to her audience. As we discuss this further, she talks about one of her paintings that had its theme based on same-sex marriage. Another painting, based on her own memories of her father, depicts a father braiding his daughter’s hair. For Soma, as an artist and as an individual, art serves as the perfect medium to not only capture her own personal experiences but also deliver a relevant socio-cultural message that helps us move further, as a collective.
Now, Soma Chakraborty Debnath wishes to use her art to educate others who are unfamiliar with the cultural history of her country. Even more importantly, she wishes, through Madhubani art, to relay the fact that cultural traditions can be used to further collective social progress and not just serve as a repressive element. And, that, in itself, is an admirable goal to aspire to.
