A temporary art installation in Kolkata, titled “Cha-Pan Utar” (Tea as Upheaval), offers an exploration of tea’s role in history, struggle, politics, and popular culture. Artist Pradip Das, collaborating with 30 to 35 art students, created painted walls within the pandal that illustrate the beverage’s evolution.
The entrance features a fighter-jet installation, recalling a Second World War event where the Royal Air Force delivered sealed tea canisters to soldiers in the Burmese jungles. The exhibit also incorporates tea’s presence in popular culture, showcasing portraits of notable actors sipping tea and a depiction of Dolly Chaiwala serving Bill Gates. Structurally, the pandal is constructed with hand-painted clay pillars, reflecting rural artistic traditions.
Source: indianexpress.com