Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency: Brings 50 Senior Citizens Together at Victoria Memorial to Celebrate the Joy of Art
What happens when age-old wisdom meets the timeless joy of creation? At a special celebration of Senior Citizens Day, 50 senior citizens came together at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata to rediscover the joy of colours, creativity and self-expression as part of ‘Creativity Never Retires’, an Art Therapy & Creative Wellness Workshop organised by Manipal Hospital Mukundapur Cluster in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Victoria Memorial Hall. The programme was graced by the presence of Sreemati Agnimitra Paul, Cabinet Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal.
Adding a unique dimension to the initiative, the painting workshop was led by two senior doctors from Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur Cluster, who are accomplished painters themselves, Dr. Sanjoy Basu, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead – Department of Medical Gastroenterology and Dr. Sumanta Dey, Lead Consultant, General & Minimal Access Surgery. Stepping beyond their clinical roles, the doctors engaged with participants through art, encouraging them to explore colours, patterns and ideas freely while discovering the joy of creative expression. Mr. Komal Dashora, Cluster Director – Manipal Hospitals (Mukundapur Cluster), and Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya, Secretary & Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, were also present at the initiative, while Prof. Muktinath Mondal, Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, joined the workshop, further enriching the creative experience and celebrating the spirit of art, expression and active ageing.
The initiative was conceptualised as part of Manipal Hospitals’ Senior Citizens Happiness Week, centred around the simple yet powerful belief that creativity has no age limit. The week-long celebration brought together senior citizens through meaningful experiences designed to promote active ageing, happiness and holistic well-being, with the Art Therapy & Creative Wellness Workshop and the Senior Citizens’ Sports Summit forming key highlights of the initiative. The workshop brought senior citizens together in an inspiring and engaging setting, exploring art as a medium for relaxation, emotional expression, social connection and self-discovery. Participants immersed themselves in painting and other creative activities, transforming a morning at the historic monument into a vibrant celebration of imagination, individuality and the enduring joy of self-expression.
Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Cabinet Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal, who also participated in the workshop and painted a portrait of Bharat Mata, said, “It was truly heartening to see so many senior citizens come together to participate in this wonderful art workshop organised by Manipal Hospitals and Victoria Memorial Hall. Initiatives like these are important as they create a space for our elders to express themselves, reconnect with their creativity and simply enjoy the moment. Having spent years as a fashion designer, drawing was once an integral part of my life, and it was a wonderful feeling to pick up a brush and paint again after so many years. I chose to paint Bharat Mata because she symbolises every mother and embodies the love, respect and gratitude we hold for our mothers. It was the first thought that came to my mind as I began to paint, and it felt especially meaningful to bring that thought to life through art.”