Mayabious takes its step toward starting a conversation over sustainable coexistence between man and wild with “Back to Wild”, a photography and art exhibition. The idea behind the exhibition emerged from Mayabious’ main philosophy of sustainable coexistence with nature and the wild, colluding with its 15 years of creative existence.
Inaugurated by Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Actor and Wildlife Photograher, Dr.Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India and Grand Master Dibyendu Barua, the objective behind the conglomeration was to create awareness about wildlife and to become the voice for the wild. As the brain behind of this initiative, Akhil rightly puts, “to inspire and educate people about wildlife consciousness and conservation through creativity. Therefore, the theme of our initiative is aptly and evocatively named “Back to Wild”.
Akhil B Paul, founder and CEO of Mayabious Group, also elaborates, “Covid has taught us one thing, that we humans are neither indispensable, nor invincible. As the pandemic restrained us, it liberated the wild – there were viral reports of animals roaming around in the cities in broad daylight. We forget that this planet is wilder than we can imagine. We forget that we are not the only species inhabiting this planet, and neither can we survive being the sole species on it- just consider the fact that, even if the seemingly trivial bees go extinct today, we humans will soon follow suit due to crop failures”.
In his inaugural speech, Sabyasachi Chakraborty shared his interest and involvement in wildlife photography and movement to create awareness about wildlife, “I am long associated with Mayabious and have lended my voice on several of their creative pieces. What more is significant about the exhibition is, along with photographs they have also encouraged artists and painters to exhibit their art work, related wildlife, that is important and this is to be promoted”.
The program also witness the release of ‘Pastoral Purbasthali’, pictorial documentation of the rich art form alongside wildlife in the ancient and eventful land of Purbasthali in Nadia District of West Bengal and the birthplace of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who not only intiaited Bhakti Movement but has weaved the entire universe into the string of love. The book documents the historical significance of the land not only in the march of human civilization but also in the trajectory of its natural ecosystem.
The exhibition was held at Nandalal Bose Gallery, ICCR, 9A, Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Park Street area, Kolkata-700071, from 27th June to 29th June with more than 200 photographs and paintings, contributed by Sabyasachi (Feluda) Chakraborty, along with some inspiring wildlife photographs from Akhil Bandhu Paul, Amitava Majumdar, Arnab Roy, Barunendra Bachar, Rana Basak, and Saurav Jha. Thought-provoking artworks in different mediums have been contributed by Arup Bhowmick, Monmonhan Das, Soumita Basu, Subhendu Das, and more.
Back to Wild, also held a day photography workshop for amateur photographers and also honored the wildlife protector across the country giving them citation and a platform to tell their story and seek support.
Very well narrated to express the massage forward