Streets Shops in Santiniketan

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, India

India is a land of many social /economic groups.  We often have little idea of how other groups live.

This is a series of pictures about the daily wage earners, the vendors in outdoor, temporary shops along the main streets of Santiniketan, the university town in West Bengal where I am studying and living.

 

My work is an attempt to show the lives of the many, colorful shops of my town,

the role they and their humble vendors are playing for the people they serve every day. 

Adda
Acrylic on Canvas

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

More info
The subject of this picture is a tea stall in Santiniketan.

I have shown the tea stall in the afternoon, when it is deserted, for everyone has gone inside to escape the mid-day sun. The atmosphere is affected by the heat and the residual smoke from the wood fire. Thus the predominant colours of the painting are shades of yellow, burnt sienna and black. 


Adda 1
Acrylic on Canvas

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

More info
The subject of this picture is a tea stall vendor in Santiniketan. We buy tea morning and evening ; he is an essential part of our surroundings,  but in our eyes he has no individual life; he is merely a supplier of tea .

I have shown the tea stall in the afternoon, when it is deserted, for everyone has gone inside to escape the mid-day sun. He, however, is at his stall for he has no other place to go. This is where he relaxes, melding in with the background. The atmosphere is affected by the heat and the residual smoke from the wood fire. Thus the predominant colours of the painting are shades of yellow, burnt sienna and black. 


Santiniketan cart’s
Acrylic on Canvas

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

More info

Here is a snack vendor. He has a cycle van in which he carries his wares from place to place. He has no fixed location but stops wherever he chooses. There he lights up a fire and begins to fry his 'pakoras'. These are also the colours of spices, such as turmeric and chilli, that he uses in his cooking.

Temporary Shop I
Acrylic on Canvas

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

More info
This work shows a shopkeeper and his/her attractive displays. This attractive display is important to entice people in the remote village area. I have depicted in the canvas the minute details, space and environment in and around the village shop.
Temporary Shop II
Acrylic on Canvas

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop III
Oil on Canvas

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop X
Mixed Media

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop XII
Mixed Media

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop XI
Mixed Media

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop VII
Acrylics on Plastic

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop VIII
Acrylic on Plastic

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India

Temporary Shop VI
Acrylic on Plastic

Sarika Kumari

Jamalpur, Bihar, India