Light through the Leaves
by Prabal Pramanik ©
A golden sky overflowed with light, specks of gold in between the silhouetted leaves, the
Enlightened one accepting the bowl of life from Sujata at the timeless moment.
This immortal bliss of Tathagata at Bodhi Briksha or the tree of knowledge, inspired man
and found expression in different mediums of art in many sociocultural environments.
Among the many mediums that gave concrete forms to the eternal moments of Buddha's life
one of the most uncommon is paper cutting.
Paper cutting is an art that has been practised for many years in different parts of the
world.
According to stylistic, thematic and technological differences in forms of paper cutting
this art can be classified.
Silhouette forms and filigree forms from single sheets and forms that use separate pieces
in patch work pattern are the three main types in paper cutting art.
Some times, these styles are blended in a single composition and each style has its own
aesthetic effect and individuality.
Indian paper cutting art in its pure traditional form has a technological speciality,- the
paper cuttings are made without any previous drawing or tracing.
This unique technological difference places traditional Indian paper cutting art on an
entirely different platform. Unfortunately nowadays, very few artists with this skill are
alive and Indian traditional paper cutting art made with proper technological expertise is
very rare.
The pieces are instantly made according to the true form, without the help of any picture
for guidance.
In the olden days, this form of art was used for decorating temples and as structural and
interior decoration pieces.
My paternal grand father, Shri Sashibhushan Pramanik was an exponent of this rare form of
art.
I have been practising many forms of this rare art for my own pleasure and to keep it
alive.
To create general awareness I have to exhibit this art in different places, exposing this
art to different cultural atmospheres.
Though this art was originally used to decorate "Vasihnava Temples" at the time
of "Vaishnav" festivals, it is art that is just as flexible as any medium for
depicting all possible subjects.
Buddha's life is an ideal subject to be depicted through this art form. Different coloured
paper and even golden and silver paper adds to the attractiveness of the pieces made and
interests the viewers in the series giving a pictorial description of the Great Master's
life.
Though simple pieces can be cut out even by children, as an elementary stage of this form
of art, mastery over anatomy, form and rhythm accompanied with superb neuro-muscular
co-ordination and visual imagery is a must for an artist creating complicated compositions
with figures and forms.
Dynamism, through two dimensional forms and illusion of three dimension is another aspect
of this art that implies the negative and positive exploitation of space.
The illusion of depth on a two dimensional plane is created by using a suitable background
for mounting the pieces.
The colourful pieces are arranged in such a manner in the patch work style of this art,
that a harmony is maintained inspite of contrasting colours, making the complete
composition attractive without sacrificing its suggestive aspect.
Different moods or emotional entities can be captured in paper cutting art.
Serene Buddha at meditation ignoring the influence of "Mara", passionate grief
of "Kisa Gautami", devotion of king Bimbisara, taming of the intoxicated
elephant Nalgiri, all I have successfully depicted through the art of paper cutting.
Spacing of the forms in composition and colour combination in a subtle manner allow
suggestive effect undiminished by sharp linear contours.
The skill to cut out complete compositions without drawing or tracing is not easy to
master and takes many years of hard work to attain the skill.
The development of visual imagery is enhanced by serious meditation which increases
concentration considerably.
Control of the hand that wields the tool is affected by the control of the mind, and this
vital control is definitely developed by mental strength attained through meditation.
This shows the relevance of practical application of Tathagata's principles in spheres of
art, as the path of Buddha overflowing with golden light stretching through the stages of
human consciousness is traversable by meditation and self control only.
– Published in "MAHABODHI"
magazine, a publication of Mahabodhi Society of India
Design and text copyright reserved
Cover of the book "Light through the leaves"
ISBN : ISBN : 81-89801-86-4
A sample page from the book "Light through the leaves" by Prabal Pramanik
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YOU ARE WELCOME
TO VISIT OUR WEB SITE
Devasthanakala Paper cutting is done without
any drawing or tracing and has traditions reaching back hundreds of years.
Art and spiritual quest
Transcendence begins here through art, especially when the life of Buddha takes over.
It is difficult to concentrate on the finesse of the edges of each leaf of Bodhi tree; it
is difficult to believe that what we are looking at is Indian Devasthanakala (paper
cutting art) mastered impeccably by Ustad Kalakar Prabal Pramanik. It is difficult because
thought, skill and art merge intangibly.
‘‘Complete emptiness is where the genuine art originates. Where there is no
commercial angle and nullification of all,’’ Ustad complicates it with a
spiritual streak. ‘‘There is a metaphysical point of infinity where existence
and non-existence merge and that point is from where all art emerges,’’ he tries
to simplify. ‘‘The life of Shakya Muni Gautama Buddha is unique not only as an
inspiration but also as one of the greatest quests in spiritual history of
man,’’ says Ustad. And this shows in the exhibition that beautifully depicts
Buddha's journey, the various stages in his life. A must see.
PV
Times News Network, The Times of India
Buddha at Saranath with his five disciples setting the
wheel of Dharma rotating
Prabal Pramanik has created a full set of Devasthanakala
paper-cutting art-works on the life of Gautama Buddha. This set depicts scenes on Buddha's
life from "The dream of Mayadevi" to "Mahaparinirvana"
A colourful illustrated book titled "LIGHT THROUGH THE
LEAVES" with all these Devasthankala pictures and informative text has been published
by M/s Orient Book Company. The book was released at a function organized by Mahabodhi
Society of India.
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e-mail : prabalpramanik@yahoo.co.uk
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