An ensemble exhibition titled Vichitra / विचित्र will open at the Temporary Gallery of the Bihar Museum in Patna on 1 July 2026. Organised by Emami Art and Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC), the exhibition brings together fourteen artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, textile and print. Running until 21 July 2026, the exhibition explores cultural connections between Bengal and Bihar while presenting diverse artistic approaches to labour, memory, migration, ecology and material histories.
A Dialogue Between Two Regions
According to the organisers, Vichitra seeks to extend a long-standing cultural exchange between Bengal and Bihar. Rather than presenting a singular narrative, the exhibition foregrounds multiple perspectives, generations and artistic languages. Its title derives from the Sanskrit word vichitra, meaning varied, intricate and many-sided, reflecting the diversity of practices represented in the exhibition.
Modern Masters and Contemporary Voices
The exhibition places historically significant modernists such as Lalit Mohan Sen and Kartick Chandra Pyne in conversation with contemporary practitioners including Prasanta Sahu, Soma Das, Ujjal Dey, Pradip Das, Tapas Biswasand Kushal Ray. Their works address subjects ranging from rural knowledge systems and migrant experiences to ecological concerns, domestic labour and the memory of partition.
Highlights of the Exhibition
- Painting, sculpture, photography, textile and print works
- Fourteen artists representing three generations
- Dialogues on labour, ecology, migration and memory
- Works engaging with figuration, abstraction and material histories
- A cross-regional cultural exchange between Bengal and Bihar
Participating Artists
The exhibition features works by:
| Arindam Chatterjee | Anjan Modak |
| Arunima Choudhury | Kartick Chandra Pyne |
| Kushal Ray | Lalit Mohan Sen |
| Partha Pratim Deb | Pradip Das |
| Prasanta Sahu | Sibaprasad Karchaudhuri |
| Soma Das | Suman Dey |
| Tapas Biswas | Ujjal Dey |
About the Organisers
Based in Kolkata, Emami Art is a contemporary art gallery that presents exhibitions, publications, artist residencies and public programmes with a focus on South Asian art practices. The gallery operates from the Kolkata Centre for Creativity and has developed a significant programme supporting both emerging and established artists.
The Kolkata Centre for Creativity is a multidisciplinary cultural institution dedicated to exhibitions, education, research and community engagement. Through collaborations and public programmes, it works to create platforms for dialogue across artistic disciplines and audiences.
Bihar Museum as Venue
Women Wait with Flowers to Greet a Religious Leader
The exhibition is being hosted at the Temporary Gallery of the Bihar Museum, one of Patna’s major cultural institutions. The museum is known for presenting the historical, artistic and cultural heritage of Bihar while also providing space for contemporary artistic practices and exhibitions.
Visitor Information
| Exhibition | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Vichitra / विचित्र – An Ensemble Exhibition |
| Artists | 14 artists across three generations including Lalit Mohan Sen, Kartick Chandra Pyne, Prasanta Sahu, Soma Das, Ujjal Dey, Pradip Das, Tapas Biswas and others |
| Venue | Temporary Gallery, Bihar Museum |
| City | Patna, Bihar, India |
| Opening Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Exhibition Dates | 1 July – 21 July 2026 |
| Timings | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily |
| Organisers | Emami Art, Kolkata and Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC), Kolkata |
| Entry / Tickets | As per Bihar Museum visitor guidelines |
| Website | https://www.emamiart.com/ | https://www.kolkatacentreforcreativity.org/ | https://www.biharmuseum.org/ |
Vichitra / विचित्र will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM between 1 July and 21 July 2026 at the Temporary Gallery, Bihar Museum, Patna. Visitors can consult the museum’s official website for entry details and visitor information.
Conclusion
By bringing together artists from different generations and practices, Vichitra / विचित्र offers a nuanced view of contemporary and modern artistic concerns. The exhibition highlights the continuing cultural relationship between Bengal and Bihar while creating space for multiple narratives and interpretations. Through its engagement with memory, labour, ecology and lived experience, the exhibition contributes to broader conversations about regional histories and contemporary culture in India.
