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Dhriti Bagchi comes from the state of West Bengal in southeastern India. She teaches Bengali language and traditional arts, including alpana, a type of decorative painting done with rice paste. As a child, Dhriti learned to make alpana rice paste to make kolams, or “painted prayers.” These are often painted at the threshold of a home to welcome both guests and the gods. Alpana also appears as pictures in homes and temples. Dhriti has learned many Bengali folk arts from her friends and family. As she puts it, “to become a curator, I needed a curator.”
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Alpana is made by applying rice paste with the fingers in a smooth, curving motion. Traditionally, it provided a way for women to praise the Goddess Lakshmi and ask for her help and favors.
Dhriti’s love of traditional Bengalese culture has motivated her to learn many art forms. In addition to the abstract forms of alpana, she creates narrative pata paintings depicting scenes from mythology. Historically, Pata was painted on scrolls that storytellers unfurled as they retold ancient myths and legends. Dhriti has also studied Bengalese folk song with a master artist, and documented the mystical music of the nomadic Bauls.
Dhriti envisions her role in her community as a curator. Concerned that many of the traditional arts of West Bengal are disappearing, she often returns to conduct research there. She is devoted to keeping all forms of Bengali culture alive. To further this mission, she established Mrittika, Inc. - A South Asian Center for Language and Heritage. The mission of Mrittika, which means “mother earth,” is to teach second generation Bengalis their native language and traditional culture.
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