The Painter
Buy some glass bangles.
How will you carry the paintings? You got the car?
I won't take them.
Why? What shall I do with all these?
Kuntalamam has got the booking from tomorrow.
Throw them away. - What?
There's no room to keep these paintings.
Neither will he allow me to take them.
Who won't allow you?
Who else other than Palash?
I failed to pay the rent for the gallery.
Oh!
Go and talk to him.
He must be in the office.
Sitting here won't help.
I'm leaving now. I'll leave the rest for tomorrow.
I don't want to miss the last metro.
Oh hi, Tithi!
Are you leaving?
Are you done with your packing?
So!
You had a great show.
I heard you got awesome reviews.
Good. You may leave now.
Is Jadav there?
He has left.
Did he leave without packing all the paintings?
I won't take the paintings now.
Oh.
Mr. Bijan's paintings should be on display by 9 AM tomorrow.
Kuntala will be here.
It's better you take your paintings before that.
What about your pending rent? Did you pay it?
I don't have any money now. I won't be able to pay.
Not a single painting has been sold.
Really? But didn't you say you had a few buyers?
Yes, I did. But no one turned up. I called them several times.
Cool.
Bring money when you come to pick up
your paintings tomorrow morning.
Where do I get the money from? I told you I don't have a penny.
I won't be able to arrange the payment.
I've run out of whatever little I had.
I was sure you would cook up some stories.
I don't rent out my gallery for such a paltry amount.
I've already told you all the conditions.
I won't give you your paintings unless the rent is paid.
Get the money!
I can't pay you, Palash. I don't have any money.
I'm completely ruined.
I just
tried to gamble for the last time. Couldn't succeed.
I couldn't do it.
I lost.
No one is buying my paintings. There is no buyer.
I'll quit painting.
I won't paint anymore.
I'll quit everything.
I don't know how to deal with you.
Tell me.
What do you want?
I don't know. - Are you doing drugs again?
Listen.
If you do me a favor,
I'll let you take your paintings.
What is it?
It's too late now. Go home.
I'll tell you tomorrow morning.
Son of a bitch!
Hemen!
It has risen.
Yes, sir, you're right.
Let's go back now.
Yes, let's go.
I accompany you every morning only for this.
I try to understand how you feel when the sun rises.
I guess, you can see a little.
I can surely see.
But that's different from what all of you see.
We represent the darkness in your world of light.
We see the world
through our mind's eye.
Inner Eye.
Do you understand now? - Yes.
Will the down train arrive now?
Not yet. The Up train will arrive at eight.
The Down train will arrive in the evening.
That's the end of our relationship with the civilization.
I heard there will be more trains.
I've heard that so many times now.
The meter gauges have been upgraded though.
There are double lines too. But where are the passengers?
Very few!
Most of them don't even buy the ticket.
What were you telling me? Who is coming here?
Yeah. Some young boys and girls.
They are probably coming from Kolkata.
They come by the morning train.
Spend the entire day here and then go back by the evening train.
Do they come for an outing?
What? Outing? I don't think so.
They come here for all the wrong reasons.
To get intoxicated.
This lonely river has become the favorite resort...
of the city youths for their illicit activities.
Strange.
This place was not like this before.
A lot has changed, sir.
The river during your childhood and the river are two completely different things.
I guess, they come here to find peace from the mess and violence all around.
When I was young... Are you listening? - Yes.
I used to study at Vidya Niketan.
Back then everyone would come here to spend some alone time.
I came back for the same reason.
I left Delhi and everything else.
You came as a blessing to me.
Your presence just saved me.
Otherwise who would have stayed here at this abandoned place?
I had no choice.
I protested against corruption.
So I got this punishment and placement.
Had you not been around...
I would've opted for the voluntary retirement.
Anyway, I have no family. There was nothing to worry about.
When will you go back home?
I'll drop you home.
You carry on. I'll see you in the evening as usual.
Someone was supposed to visit me yesterday...
but he did not turn up.
I'm sure it was yesterday.
I don't know who it is.
If you find someone asking for me at the railway station,
please bring them to my place.
You don't need to say that. I'll do it.
Is it your relative?
Not my relative. Just someone to assist me.
Oh, I see. - I will install a mural.
I haven't told you about this.
Initially, I wasn't ready.
But they offered a huge payment.
We need money to survive, don't we?
That's true.
Will you paint again?
Are you wondering, how can a blind person like me paint?
One can do it. There are many blind artists like me.
Shyam, let's go.
Yes, sir.
Shyam?
Yes, sir!
Did Shital supply the fish?
Yes, sir. He did.
Really? I didn't hear him coming on his bicycle.
He walked all the way here.
His bicycle was stolen.
Oh!
Check the number given by Palash.
Do you want to talk?
Dial the number.
Hello! How are you, sir?
Hang on. Sir wants to talk to you.
Palash, how's work? Have you started the display?
Yes, Mr. Bijan. Work is in progress.
I got paintings from some private collections.
I'll get a good response.
If you can try... - No! I can't. I've already told you.
You can do whatever you feel like.
I've called you to inform you that the boy you sent yesterday
hasn't arrived here yet.
I waited for him for the whole day.
But I need the measurement of the wall.
Strange! I dropped Tithi at the station yesterday.
Her cell phone is switched off too.
I was about to call you.
Didn't she reach yet?
What's her name?
Tithi. Tithi Chatterjee.
It's a girl, is it? - Yeah.
Will she do it?
Of course, she will. She's very smart.
She's a good painter for sure. She agreed instantly too.
Everyone in Kolkata is excited to know you'll be working again.
But where is the girl?
Did she get off at a wrong station?
She is a bit carefree.
I'll find out where she is and get back to you.
I'm hanging up now.
Palash is sending a girl.
What for?
I'm here, right?
Who is coming from Kolkata? What will she do?
This is not your job, Shyam.
Did you clean up the room?
Yes. Everything is ready.
Let's wait till she comes.
Will you go to your studio now?
Yes. You may leave now.
Continue with your work.
Hari, give me a cup of tea.
Listen! - Yes.
Are you the station master?
Yes, I am.
Is there any place to stay? - Not really.
A lounge?
It's a small station.
What about your quarter? Any vacant room?
Quarter?
I live alone here.
In an abandoned railway quarter.
No. You can't stay there.
But why?
Who are you?
Where did you come from?
I came from Kolkata.
My name is Tithi.
I'm looking for someone here.
Mr. Bijan Bose. He lives somewhere around.
Do you know him?
It's you? How strange!
Sir is waiting for you since yesterday.
Where have you been?
Do you know Mr. Bijan Bose?
Yes, of course. - But no one told me yesterday.
No one here knows him by that name.
Here, he is known as the boss.
The boss for all of us.
You were walking by the river bank early in the morning, right?
Yeah.
Please wait. I'll be back.
Hari!
Where are you?
Who's it?
Who are you?
What's your name?
Tithi.
Palash has sent... - How old are you?
30. No. I mean 31.
Did you see that painting?
Yes.
I've named it 'Laughter'.
Move closer to it.
Get closer.
More.
Yes.
A bit more closer.
More.
So close so that you can see nothing but the canvas.
Go ahead.
Now tell me, what can you see?
Be honest to yourself and tell me the truth.
Try to be a human at least once in your life.
A painting deserves the sincerity of the viewer.
It craves for keen observers with correct perceptions.
Now tell me, what do you see?
The red.
Do you like it?
I...
Say it aloud.
I like it.
Certainly good. There's no doubt about that.
Everything seems good now.
From televisions to the Internet, from telephones to iPhones.
Art, culture, sculpture, music.
All are good.
Shampoo, soap, chocolate.
Is there anything bad? Everything's is fun.
Girl,
can you differentiate between appeasement and respect...
or precious and important?
Apart from this, do you have any of those powers?
Do you have that sense of discernment?
I asked Palash to send a laborer.
But instead, he sent a girl.
You must be thinking I'm a dinosaur.
A queer creature, squeezing out all oxygen.
I want to say something which is unknown to your generation.
You don't have any idea about seriousness.
You should follow in your ancestors' footsteps.
Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso...
Rothko, Nandalal,
Ramkinkar, Binodbihari.
They are all my contemporaries.
Not to forget, me! Me!
Mr. Bijan Bose.
Madam, please come.
Come this way.
Please come.
Sir speaks like that, please don't mind.
Everything will be okay. Come this way.
Come over here, madam.
Come.
Come this way. I've done all the arrangements.
Sir had already told me.
You were supposed to come yesterday.
Let me tell you this. Sir is a very cool person.
But he seems to get a bit aggressive when it comes to painting.
He won't let anyone live in peace.
After all, he is blind.
He was not like this earlier.
Anyway, you should freshen up and get some rest.
I'll get some snacks.
"Golden girl of the golden land."
"Will you sail my boat?"
Hello, Palash, I'm coming back.
This man is a crook, dangerous, crazy.
I'm talking about Mr. Bijan Bose.
I agree he was a famous artist once.
But now he is nothing but a crazy, insane man.
How could I assist him?
He threw me out.
He won't allow any woman, he needs a laborer.
A laborer, not an artist.
Why have you pushed me into this mess?
Right way. Now straight.
Yes, okay. A little left.
Disgusting.
This girl is trouble.
Take this. - She's creating a scene.
What happened?
Anything wrong?
Tithi called a while ago.
She said she wanted to come back.
Is it so? Why?
No idea.
She called up a while ago, spoke a few minutes and hung up.
I tried to call her back, but I got no response.
I had cautioned her to deal with Mr. Bijan sensitively.
She's an outspoken girl. I'm sure she might've been rude.
I'm sure she might've done something.
Why don't you call Mr. Bijan?
Yeah, I'm thinking the same.
I've already spoken to him about her.
He was surprised to know about Tithi.
He spoke as if
he disliked her.
You shouldn't have sent her.
You wanted to help her, but she's really rude.
What do you mean by help?
She is a good painter.
She's talented, but she couldn't make it big.
She needs to survive, doesn't she?
At least, she overcame her drug addiction.
By renting out the gallery at cheaper rates, right?
Do whatever you like.
Kuntala.
You know me well.
I never rent the gallery at a cheaper rate.
If Tithi doesn't do this job,
she won't get back her paintings.
Shyam.
Yes, sir.
Hemen will come now.
The last down train has departed.
Keep the water ready to make tea.
The train was late today, sir.
Is that so?
What's the time now?
7 PM.
7 PM!
That's why, I'm craving tea.
Shyam.
Sir.
Has the girl left?
Where will she go?
Why?
Why didn't you ask her to take the down train?
She will leave.
Let her stay for a couple of days.
Don't worry. - What are you saying?
Is she still staying here?
Shyam.
Who is it?
Who?
Shyam.
Are you there?
I told you.
Shyam.
No, it's me.
Tithi.
What are you doing here?
What do you want?
Come this way.
Come close to me.
Have you got any desires in life?
I have.
I mean, I had.
And what is it?
To become a heroine in cinema?
I'm a painter.
I mean, I wanted to be a painter.
Is it so? Let me see your hand.
Where it is? Let me see it.
Oh my God! These are fashionable fingers.
It's of no use.
None of your paintings will be good.
Listen, this is serious work.
You may call it a workshop.
I will install a mural.
A mural.
Heard about this? Can you hear me?
Will start the work sharp at 8 AM.
Just like a factory.
Shift starts with the 8 AM siren.
Otherwise you lose the job.
Can you do it?
I will, but... - Didn't Palash tell you anything?
Who am I? What do I do?
What I've done in the past? What will I do in future?
Yes, he has told me.
Listen, you will help me.
I'll decide how much help I need.
Don't try anything more than that.
You're just my assistant. Nothing more than that.
I'm neither your father nor your teacher.
You'll not learn anything from me neither will I teach you.
You should banish any other thoughts.
Here he comes.
Is it Hemen? - Yes, sir.
I haven't had tea yet because of you.
Shyam!
Hemen is here.
Is the tea ready?
Protest against railway!
The down train was an hour late.
I can't take it anymore.
I'll feel relieved once I get retired.
Madam, here's your tea.
Tell me, Hemen.
I'll narrate you a story today.
It's a good story.
Didn't I tell you about the story of cigarette smoke?
What do you want for dinner? 'Roti' or rice?
There is a village in the desert of Rajasthan.
What do you eat?
Sir prefers 'roti'.
Me too.
Listen.
Is that Mr. Bijan's painting?
Yes, a long time ago.
His eyesight was good back then.
Madam, why did Mr. Palash send you here?
Mr. Bijan is starting a new project. I'm here to help him.
Mr. Palash has sent lots of papers.
Sir makes beautiful pictures by cutting those papers.
Is it anything to do with that?
Only he can answer that. How can I say anything?
If he lets me assist him, I'll make some money.
He'll probably start working from tomorrow.
He asked me to keep all papers at the studio.
I've already done that.
Don't worry, I will be there.
You'll have no problem.
But I guess, he doesn't like me.
I'll probably leave tomorrow.
Why wouldn't he like you?
That's how he talks.
Everything will be okay.
How long have you been with him?
For quite a long time. I used to live in Delhi.
The cataract operation left him blind.
Later we moved here.
He lived here since childhood.
He studied at the local university.
He finished his masters.
Which university?
Vidya Niketan. Not too far from here. Just the next station.
I'll take you there someday.
You'll notice that his paintings are everywhere in the school.
You can sit in the balcony if you want.
After reading the papers...
he'll dictate and then Hemen will note everything down.
You may listen if you want to.
Do you know what's abstract art?
What will he write?
I don't understand much of that.
But I think it's something related to the paintings.
So what happened to the tree?
The gardener said that it won't grow.
Leave it.
So one fine day...
the tree withered and died
and became one with the soil.
Really?
Good morning.
Yes, morning.
Do you know anything about paper folding?
Are you talking to me?
Yeah. Origami, right?
Not really, but if you teach me, I'll do it.
I'll create some figures with these brown papers.
Several figures.
You have to assist me.
Human figures.
The people whom we know.
It'll be created in parts.
You shall join them later. I'll guide you for the same.
You'll transform them into full-size human figures.
Can you do it?
What? - Yes.
After you create the figures, I'll touch and feel them
and tell you whether those the figures are perfect or not.
If they are good, I'll select them.
Later those figures will be transformed into ceramic tiles.
Ramananda will come from Vidya Niketan.
They do ceramic work over there.
The paper figures will have to be sent there.
Ram will take you there.
Your presence is necessary to supervise the job.
Has Palash sent the sizes?
Oh yes. Sixty by six.
Marble paper?
Give me the brown paper.
Yes, sir.
Here it is.
Is it portrait size? - Yes, sir.
Give me a square brown paper.
Here it is.
What's the approximate size?
Around six inches.
Now you have to create full-size figure with these parts.
Can you do it?
Done.
Did you get that?
A man.
Sitting.
A man?
What kind of a man?
Where does he live?
What does he do?
Sir, your ashtray.
It looks real. - You shut up.
Have you seen them plowing?
The farmer is dog-tired after plowing.
He is resting in the corner of the field.
I want to capture that gesture.
That's right.
How did you do it?
With my tragedy.
Excuse me! Please come closer everyone.
Here. Please.
Now it's time to inaugurate.
Prakash, please.
Please come.
As you know, the famous painter
Prakash Bhattacharyya is present among us.
And we're really proud and happy
that he agreed to inaugurate this show.
Prakash, please.
That way.
Please give him the candle. - Yes.
Right here.
I have a surprise for all of you. A big surprise!
Prakash wants to see a few creations by Mr. Bijan Basu.
So we've brought some of his creations.
You can surely have a look.
But we failed to bring his contemporary works.
Though Kuntala and I tried our best.
You know that he prefers living in a village.
We tried convincing him to come today, but...
He didn't agree. - Yeah, he didn't.
But we convinced him to work again.
You know that Six Seasons is a popular restaurant in South Kolkata.
We can see Mr. Bijan's work on the restaurant's wall.
He agreed to create a mural for that restaurant.
If you go to that restaurant eight months from now,
you can definitely get to see Mr. Bijan's work.
I've brought a specimen of Mr. Bijan's work.
In fact, Kuntala and I have brought this only for you guys.
You have to watch this screen to see it.
Jadav, please show them. - Jadav!
He has made it all by himself.
You all know that he's completely blind now.
This paper figure is made by a blind artist.
It'll gradually be developed into ceramic tiles.
Actually, our plan is to produce a series of such figures.
Greetings, sir. - Greetings.
Haven't seen you for a long time. All okay?
Hello, Mr. Ramananda.
We don't meet because you never come here.
Your station is the next one. How come you got down here?
Any news of Vidya Niketan? - Everything is fine.
I got a call from sir. I had to come.
Have you heard the good news?
What happened?
He has started working again.
Yes, I've heard that. But how will he do it?
Very strange!
This is the power of the third eye.
I'll leave now. I'll meet sir and then take the bus.
I have to return before noon.
Take care. - Sure.
See you.
See you soon.
How do you feel?
What?
Give me some time.
I'll tell you.
Unrest.
Like the present time, is it?
And?
Thought provoking.
And?
Some kind of sadness, pathos may be.
Tragic?
Yeah!
This is for a restaurant in Kolkata.
What?
In a restaurant?
You mean all these are for a restaurant, right?
Absurd!
When Palash called me, I thought about it for a couple of days.
He offered me a huge amount.
City artists who are darling of the media and galleries
can't even imagine the kind of money I'm getting.
Just imagine.
Five million rupees.
Have you seen my painting or mural?
Yes, I've seen quite a few.
Where?
In a catalogue, I mean print.
I have two murals at Vidya Niketan.
You may go there to have a look.
I suppose they're all alive.
It's spread all over the restaurant
like a continuous narrative.
Silent.
Each of them is narrating a story.
Very close to you.
You can't avoid them.
They are inevitable.
Destined.
Are you done with this?
Won't you create some more figures?
Not yet done.
It'll be done.
It's in the process.
I have to study them now.
Study?
Means?
You've learnt nothing.
Major portion of painting is thinking.
Only ten percent consists of brush and colors.
The rest is waiting.
Do you know?
I was longing for this throughout my life.
A space, a region,
where the viewer will contemplate by looking at my creation.
I've created them with so much concentration, adoration and respect...
they'll reward me with the same thing.
It's just like what we do at temples.
It's like a practice of religion.
But it's only a restaurant.
I will turn it into a temple.
"Eyes can't see you but you dwell in my eyes."
Who is it? Is it Ram?
Ramananda?
Why are you dragging my Gurudeva? You're too much.
Please come.
"Eyes can't see you but you dwell in my eyes."
"Soul does not know you,"
"you're there in the soul."
"You are there in my eyes."
This is my new work.
Watch it with concentration.
Tithi, I had told you about him.
Ramananda.
He's the one who'll convert these figures into ceramics.
"The constant vision is always awake"
"while sleeping and dreaming."
"You are there in my eyes."
"Everyone has left, none has stayed,"
"you are there with your love."
"The roofless one, who has the street as his house."
"Also lives in your home."
"Only you are the companion, no one else,"
"endless life lying ahead..."
"Crossing the endless sea of time..."
"No one knows how..."
"You are there in my eyes."
"I know I'm here as you are there with me..."
"So I live."
"Desire you more, as much as I get..."
"Don't know, whatever I know you..."
"Know that I will get you forever..."
"In other world, in another space and time..."
"You and me and there is no one in between..."
"There is no earthly barrier."
"You are there in my eyes."
You are lucky.
You're witnessing a history in the making.
Really, it makes me astonished.
How is he doing it?
Did you see it? How is it?
It's an old one.
He was a teacher here back then.
Another one is at the Bhasha Bhavan.
That one is spectacular.
Check out his work. Come with me.
There'll be no one like Mr. Bijan.
But I think he is very much underrated.
How many people know him today?
He's a little bit short-tempered I guess.
Yes, sometimes he gets crazy.
We are used to it.
But you'll realize he's very knowledgeable.
He's very honest to his art.
Whatever he feels, he says it sincerely.
He has a world vision.
Here you are. The Bhasha Bhavan.
Get inside and you'll be surprised.
I'll be back after finishing a task.
"Where are you searching for me, people?"
"I'm here next to you."
"Neither in the pilgrimage nor in the idols."
"Not in any secluded place."
"I'm here next to you."
"Where are you searching for me, people?"
Mr. Bijan! Don't stand like a dumb. It's a game of the destiny.
Grab it.
An arrow of death.
It can be a symbol of creation as well. Who knows?
Why is it so dark?
Light the lamps. Let there be light.
All the lamps are lit, Mr. Bijan. They have been lit everywhere.
The world is full of light.
Fuse! There's no light!
The entire world is dark.
What happened?
Shyam! Shyam!
Where are you?
Has Tithi returned?
Who goes there?
Who is it?
It's me. - Who?
Who are you? What do you want?
I'm here to accompany you.
I also go by the name of destiny.
But I've come to you with my voice.
To free you from fear.
Yes, I'm afraid.
I was scared. I get scared sometimes.
But am I dreaming?
No, it's not a dream. Trust me once.
I'm really here in front of you.
Why are you scared?
I came to find out something.
I have something more to say.
It's not cheating, but only reality.
Destiny has presented itself before you.
How can you guess what I'm thinking?
Why do they call me destiny?
Why did you come in this stormy night?
I have never worshiped you, and I never will.
I know that.
But you need not worship me with rituals.
Skeletons are roaming around in my dark castle
and empty hands.
I want submission.
Don't you know all this?
I don't want to have this stupid conversation.
Tell me, what do you want? What do you want?
You're still egoistic.
I've snatched your vision. Won't you surrender now?
Not at all.
I'm a human being and also your contestant.
I ignore you.
Don't you know that?
Forget it.
Tell me, why are you here?
To tell you some news.
You have to be prepared.
It's time for you to go with me.
Death?
Whoever you are, I'm not leaving. My work is still pending.
Probably, my last job...
But I won't leave without completing it.
May I know what's that?
I'm meditating to create an eternal classic.
Need some more time.
You've taken away my vision, so what?
There is no light, so what?
I still have figures. I still have my beats.
The figures and their beats.
Colors.
Colors in my memory.
I can see the figures. Here it is.
Blue or yellow?
Or perhaps... green.
No, it's red.
Red.
Where is red?
Where is red? Shyam!
Tithi.
Sir! What happened? I'm coming!
What's this? - Sir, please get up.
Let me see. Shyam, please hold it that way.
Please get up, sir. - Be careful.
This side.
Careful, sir.
Sit here.
Sir.
Sir? - Mr. Bijan.
It's nothing.
Leave me alone. Go to sleep.
Why did you come here at this hour?
Do you need anything?
What do you mean by the color red?
What do you mean?
What comes to your mind when you see the color red?
The rising sun.
Do you think the rising sun is red?
Yes. I mean...
I feel it's red. It may not be the actual color.
The rising of sun is not red.
Yes, it is. See it for yourself.
No.
It's not red.
Yes, it is red. At least, I think so.
Also red is heartbeat, red passion, red revolution...
Red rose, red wine, red lipstick.
What about blood in our arteries?
Maybe.
Earth of the Western Bengal, Flag of De la Croa...
El Greco's 'The Disrobing of Christ'.
It can be a rabbit's nose or a parrot's beak too.
Flag of Russia, Flag of China, Flag of the Natsies.
Red Fort.
Fire. Paintings of the Fauvists.
Red light area, red tape.
The flow of blood after cutting the artery of the arm.
Santa Claus.
Destiny.
That means the red.
Yes. Red.
Hemen, it has risen.
Yes, sir. Yes!
Give it to me. - No, I'll take care of it.
I saw paintings from your studio on the Internet.
Have you drawn it when you were in Vidya Niketan?
Is it the same studio? - Yes.
Have you seen The Red Studio of Matisse?
It's the painting of my own studio.
It's red all around.
I was stunned when I...
saw it for the first time.
It was such a brilliant red, as if it wants to grasp me.
Was it an... - It was an old one.
Yes, it's available on the Internet now.
I don't want to see anymore.
Why?
I feel...
very depressing.
Does red make you feel depressed?
That painting...
Just above the center line...
The mantle above the vessel,
black inside the yellow.
Can't miss your attention.
This was what he desired.
Which one?
The Black.
The black color?
The black object.
Do you know what I fear?
Someday all the red of the world will be swallowed by the black.
Don't you see what's going on around us?
Let's go.
I'll give some tiles to you.
Let me know what Mr. Bijan says.
Will he understand?
Yes, of course.
After touching it, he'll ask you to point where the shades are.
Don't you think some tiles are burnt?
Yes, that's why.
They may need another firing.
But he doesn't like black color.
Is that so?
Did he tell you?
How many figures are ready?
Ten.
Ten!
Seventeen.
Six or seven more will be enough.
Yeah, I think the same.
Do you ever care for my opinion? - Not at all.
What happened?
Nothing.
I remembered something.
What's that?
Nothing important.
Let me listen.
I think you're not too far from us.
You're still somehow connected with us.
Our generation, I mean.
With me in particular.
Some postures are very well-known.
In what way?
What's the number?
Fourth from right and first from left.
These postures remind me of something.
What kind of memory?
My parents.
They were lying in the room in these postures.
What happened to them?
I don't want to talk about it.
But you have to talk about it.
They were slaughtered. - What do you mean?
Murder?
I witnessed this after returning from college.
Tell me. - What should I say?
Who did it?
Why?
The newspapers said that they were political rivals.
As per the media, it was political group rivalry.
Do you recognize these terms?
Didn't you do something? I mean, didn't you try to find them?
I tried to sketch them in my paintings.
How are those people?
Quite normal. Just like us.
May I ask you a question? - No.
What's there to know?
Why are you afraid of the color black?
I was afraid of it once.
The absence of light scared me.
Could you feel death was around you?
So you compare black with death.
After losing my vision,
I was meditating to turn myself into a fossil.
Fossil?
Then what?
Then...
I found out
my own light.
But we couldn't find it.
I didn't find it either.
The light within me.
What do you think the color red will signify?
I was talking about losing the spirit of life.
I was talking about losing the creative motivation...
and intense passion.
But you're not aware of these.
You are very romantic.
Romantic? - Yes.
Me?
I mean, not honest.
Is that so?
See, black is a color like the others.
It's meaningless to consider it as an atrocious one.
Weird!
What about that brown figure?
What do you get from that?
See that's a personal emotion.
It's no use to create such an artistic sensibility with that one.
At least, we don't.
But you should do that.
I don't agree.
Try to explore your experience in art.
You're not getting my point.
You people are timid.
No, I'm not.
Brown scares you.
But you don't want to accept it.
You may say, that's my funny side.
Please don't turn the issue of art into a psychological drama.
But art is exactly that. - Not at all.
What's art? There is nothing more to it.
Art has died. Art is dead.
Yet you sketch the faces of your parents' killers.
But my dear, that's not the only thing I sketch. There are other things too.
You've never seen any of my works.
You don't wish to either.
If you could've utilized your life experience...
you would've realized it.
What's red and what's black.
Again the same words.
Whatever you are saying is clichéd.
Predictable. Everyone says that.
You've turned old.
You're not updated.
The more you're getting older, the more you're getting detached.
You're losing perspective and being obsessed with a cliché.
Your explanation of black is also a cliché.
You know everything. I see.
Why should I not?
Don't you remember Van Gogh?
What brilliant paintings he made before his death!
Yellow, blue and many ecstatic colors!
And then, he shot himself in the head and died.
Same with Matisse. The one you were talking about in the morning.
He's about to die. He can't even hold a brush, but he wants to draw.
What brilliant collages he made with colored papers!
He chose to die rather than quit.
While dying...
You were not sent here to argue with me.
Do you realize you're like them.
I have seen your murals at Vidya Niketan.
You didn't use bright colors.
But now, when you lost your vision...
Henri Matisse. A hero in his last days.
Van Gogh was never understood by anyone.
Jackson Pollock, a crazy young man.
How dare you humiliate these great artists!
Don't you feel ashamed?
Try to fight with them. Debate with them.
But never claim you've understood them or overpowered them.
You can't do that.
Never! You can never compete with them!
They are way ahead of you.
You can't even imagine to reach their level.
Get away from here.
Get lost. Get out of here.
Ask Shyam to send me a cup of tea.
I want to stay alone.
Listen.
Have you seen Rembrandt's 'Belshazzar's Feast'?
Look there. It's hanging up there.
Do you know what's written there in the divine script
on the back wall of King Belshazzar?
Mene, Mene, Tekel u-Pharsin.
Do you know what it means?
Old Testament. Hebrew language.
It means,
you have been weighed in the balance.
And have been found wanting.
You. Today's artists, should remember these words.
All of you are hollow.
You're here to profane the space of art.
Like King Belshazzar.
Rubbish!
Have you finished your eternal creation?
I'm waiting for you.
Let's go now.
I have to go for sure.
But I can still enjoy the creation.
I can touch it.
It's flowing in my artery.
Can't I get a little more time?
What you desire is impossible.
Joy of creation is an endless process.
There's no temple at the end of the road
where you may reach one day.
Your work will never be finished even if you get immortality.
Immortality?
Immortal.
Eternal.
Those are not for me.
What have you done?
I'm not a connoisseur, but it looks great.
How could you do all these with dark glasses?
I can do it with the light of my own world.
You're speaking like a great man.
I'm not a great man.
What I have is a very ordinary light.
This light remains
as long as I create a figure, fold a paper.
After that everything is dark.
You're leaving your creations behind.
But no one will remember you.
People will enjoy and they will be entertained.
They'll remember you for a while.
But no one will know your name.
My name will not be there.
What will remain?
Darkness, all around.
Darkness.
Sir.
Tea.
Madam has left.
A ticket to Howrah, please.
Hello, Madam, where are you going?
You never said you'd be leaving.
I thought I'd adjust.
But he's driving me crazy with his insane tirade.
But I won't get paid if I leave.
He won't let me take my paintings either. He'll sell them.
Rascal.
"Those who sang in the dawn, in my mind."
"Those are disappearing away in the shadow of the evening."
"Sitting here alone at the side of the road."
"They've come today"
"at the door my dreamland."
"All the pathos of the distorted tunes"
"searching for the musical instrument"
"I've searched it all alone."
"Time passes."
"Counting it, sitting idle."
"Resonance of the silent worship plays through the darkness."
"Those who sang in the dawn,"
"in my mind."
When did you come, Hemen?
A few minutes ago.
I was just sitting here and listening to your song.
Who is it?
It's Madam Tithi.
Is there any star in your sky?
No. There's no star in my sky.
My sky is all black and dark.
What about the Pole Star?
Got it after a long toil.
How did you find it?
Do you have any idea about the works of the contemporary artists?
I mean, the present trends and upcoming works of art.
Do you know anything of these?
Post-modern?
Contemporary art?
New media?
I can't see.
But whatever I hear...
I'd rather die.
What do you want to say?
Whatever is happening around,
what I can hear, have you seen it too?
Certainly. Why wouldn't I?
What do you get from all these arts?
It's the present moment.
I mean, the present time.
Oh! Present time.
All these posters, waste papers, ropes...
sewing machine, torn pages of comic book...
blood bottles, banana leaves, even night soil.
Do you find all these things hidden in these figures?
Yes, I do.
Take today's time and some time in the future.
So you think they are good, right?
No. It's not a question of good or bad.
It's trending these days. It's popular.
Okay. That's what I mean.
Popularity. Popular. Pop Art.
What's the problem here? Can't an art be popular?
It can't be only popular.
You are talking rubbish.
You can't understand a thing I say.
All I'm saying is, we want to place the art in the midst of the people.
We don't want to confine those only inside the gallery or a museum.
What do you think?
Will these artwork survive after 100 years?
Doesn't matter at all.
Big galleries are displaying your works besides their works.
Here. Take this.
That's possible.
But that's for a commercial purpose, rather than an artistic.
Oh God!
You have an objection for that too, right?
These controversies have taken their toll on us
and we're restless, attacked, accused.
We are going to be extinct.
Look! Look at them.
They're murmuring.
They're discontent.
Try to feel their pain and suffering.
I've created this mural to expose that.
They're modern Indians and human beings of the present day.
Do you get it, girl?
You want to turn a restaurant into a temple
with these distressing people, right?
Yes, I'll do that.
Terrible!
Are you crazy?
If possible, go and visit that restaurant at Kolkata.
Anyway, I'm done with my duties.
I'll leave now.
I can't stay at such a remote place anymore.
If you can, please ask Palash to clear my payment.
He has my paintings.
They're not great paintings, but...
I consider them to be my children and I want them back.
Please tell him.
Hemen. - Yes.
Can you take me to Kolkata?
Yes.
Whenever it is convenient for you.
I want to go for a single night.
I guess you want to submit your art. I got it.
Certainly. We'll go.
I want to see it before I hand it over.
It's a restaurant.
Six Seasons. - You want to see, don't you?
What are you looking at, Hemen?
Please tell me.
It's a parliament of the corrupt people.
Shyam, see what happened.
He's sitting in the studio.
He has neither showered nor has he eaten anything
since he returned in the morning.
I don't understand why he went to Kolkata.
Shyam.
Phone! He wants to make a phone call in Kolkata.
Sir.
Dial Palash's number.
Hello, Mr. Palash? Hold on. Sir wants to speak to you.
Palash.
Hello, Mr. Bijan.
I hear you're about to finish your artwork.
I've asked Ramananda to burn the tiles soon.
That's not needed anymore.
What do you mean?
My work is complete.
The mural is complete.
You only need to fix up the tiles.
Wow!
But I'm not giving that to you.
What? - It'll stay with me.
I'll send your money back.
What... are you saying Mr. Bijan?
I don't understand.
What do you mean you're sending the money back? It's your money.
No. It's not my money.
But the mural is mine.
Mr. Bijan... - I won't give it to you.
Why, Mr. Bijan? What happened?
The place where you want to install the mural.
Yes.
I went to that restaurant last night.
Okay.
Six Seasons.
All the customers are cheap.
Alcohol, music, monetary extravaganza... - Mr. Bijan.
I... I... - No one will even look at my mural.
Listen to me... - I...
I won't give that to you.
Mr. Bijan, please. Try to understand, it's a big deal.
I'm sending your money back.
Please don't feel bad.
Why, Mr. Bijan? What's the problem?
Take care.
Mr. Bijan.
At least, listen to me. Please try to understand.
What's wrong? Hold it, won't you?
Do you know where's Palash's check?
Yes.
Send it back to him by post.
His address is in my diary. Ask Hemen to write it down.
What's going on?
I'll go bankrupt if I lose all my treasures.
What will you gain by collecting these waste papers?
Can't you find new taste, new beauty,
new characters?
Where shall I get a new taste?
Where is a new character?
Shyam!
Mr. Bijan.
Mr. Bijan?
Who is it?
Is it Ram?
Palash had called me.
You've kicked up a row.
Maybe I am wrong.
You've done the right thing.
We know about the 'Seagram Mural' of Mark Rothko from you.
It's a big loss for you, isn't it?
What will you do with these tiles?
Give this work to us.
What will you do with this?
What if we install it at Vidya Niketan?
What are you saying?
Is it possible?
Will your administration allow it?
I already had a word with them.
You are one of us.
How do you feel?
Just thinking.
What?
Whether I've got new taste and a new character.
You've got it.
It remained in your temple forever.
Do you know?
When I came here to learn painting during my teens,
art was the subject of meditation in solitude.
We used to draw at our own free will.
There was no gallery.
No collector. No critic.
Just this barren land, us... all alone.
Those were beautiful times.
We had nothing to lose.
And only a vision to earn.
Ask Tithi to come and see it.
Also, tell her not to lose hope.
Ask her to debate with the contemporaries
so that they are compelled to see her works.
She can do it.
She has that fire.
Madam, you could've come a little earlier.
He really wanted to meet you.
Why don't you leave me alone?
What can I do if Mr. Bijan Bose is dead?
Ramananda and you drove me crazy with your phone calls.
Sir has left this envelope for you.
My situation compelled me to come.
Your sir's student Palash is a son of a bitch.
He sold all my paintings as I failed to pay the rent of his gallery.
He ate all the money.
Your sir has not paid me a single rupee for my assistance for such a long time.
I knew, he would do like this.
He's a loser himself and dragged me into his loss.
How could one spare such a big amount of money?
Leave it.
When will the bus leave for Vidya Niketan?
It'll start now. Come with me.
I'll make the arrangements.
How did he pass away?
He had been working in Vidya Niketan for a month or so.
The work you did.
It was installed there.
It was a hard labor.
The very next day after he finished the job...
he expired while he was sleeping at night.
A temple has been built there after his name.
You can go and see if you want.
Have a cup of tea and go.
No, I don't have any time for tea.
Sir has kept this for you.
What's this?
Check. Your remuneration.
Let's go.
Keep your shoes here.
"Where are you searching for me?"
"I'm here with you."
Buy some glass bangles.