In a truly inspiring convergence, young minds from bustling Kolkata and the serene rural landscape of Bengal met through the universal language of art. This creative workshop aimed to foster understanding and bridge the gap between urban and village children.
On Friday, October 24, 2025, senior students from Kolkata’s prestigious La Martiniere for Boys school journeyed to Konedoba, a village in the Jhargram district. Here, they joined forces with local children from this Santhal-dominated settlement, which is steadily evolving into a vibrant art hub, to paint a collaborative mural.
Their joint masterpiece centered around the symbol of infinity. On one side of the horizontal ‘8’ shape, the village children brought their imaginings of a city to life. On the other, the city students meticulously crafted their interpretations of a village.
City students creating a village, and village children creating a city on the wall. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Artist Mrinal Mandal, who spearheaded the workshop dubbed ‘The Traversal,’ eloquently described the transformative power of the experience: “It was remarkable to see students from an affluent, English-medium background arrive in a humble village and collaborate on the same wall with its children. Once the art began, all differences vanished instantly. It no longer mattered who came from privilege and who from a modest background.”
“Approximately 20 boys from La Martiniere, spanning Classes 8 to 12, participated, alongside nearly 50 children from Konedoba. We outlined the infinity symbol on a wall, within which the La Martiniere boys depicted their vision of a village, and the village children painted their concept of a city. We view this as a vital exchange—an initiative crucial for dissolving class distinctions,” Mandal added.
Mr. Mandal, an alumnus of Kolkata’s Government Arts College, has been dedicated to fostering art in Jhargram’s villages since 2018. He first transformed Lalbazar into an art hub and is now expanding this vision to Konedoba, located seven kilometers away. Both projects are proudly supported by the Kolkata-based collective, Chalchitra Academy, where Mandal is a founding member.
City students creating a village, and village children creating a city on the wall. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A team of teachers accompanying the Kolkata students shared their enthusiasm in a letter to the Chalchitra Academy: “Visiting Khwaabgaon [‘dream village,’ as these transformed settlements are affectionately known] was a truly wonderful experience. Our students gained an invaluable opportunity to explore their creativity through painting and artwork under your expert guidance. The interactive session and the hands-on chance to paint on the wall made the visit truly unforgettable.”