Posted on 6 August 2026:

Journey: Manikana Upadhyay’s Solo Exhibition Unfolds a Tapestry of Memory and Meaning in Kolkata

Kolkata’s cultural landscape glowed with new artistic light as Manikana Upadhyay inaugurated her solo exhibition –Journey, on 4th August 2026 at the Jogen Chowdhury Centre for Arts. More than a display of canvases, the exhibition unfolds as a meditation — a soulful dialogue between memory, tradition and the quiet poetry of existence.

The inauguration drew a distinguished gathering, graced by celebrated artists Sri Subrata Gangopadhyay, Sri Samir Aich and Sri Tapas Konar, alongside art critic Prashanta Dey and notable figures including Sambaran Banerjee, S. B. Raman and Mahua Mukherjee. Their presence underscored the reverence commanded by Manikana’s evocative brushwork, where each canvas transforms fleeting emotion into enduring form.

Among the exhibition’s most captivating works are Rabindranath and Tripura, Garia Puja, Spectacled Monkey, and A Tribal Woman of Tripura — pieces that carry visitors gently into the heart of Tripura’s landscape and culture, even as they stand within a Kolkata gallery.

A striking portrait of Hon. President Droupadi Murmu further reveals the artist’s mastery over lifelike detail and expressive depth.

Manikana Upadhyay’s artistic voice is shaped by an unusual and radiant harmony — a background rooted in Life Sciences fused with formal training in dance and craft. Educated at Tripura University, MBB College, and the Government College of Art and Craft, and largely self-taught, she has spent twenty-six years refining a style that is both intellectually grounded and deeply intuitive. Her creative path, which includes formal study in dance through Sarabhabartiya Suranandan Bharati, Kolkata, reflects a discipline transformed into devotion.

Having featured in more than twenty group exhibitions since her debut at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata and following her first solo showcase in Agartala, this second solo exhibition marks a significant milestone in her journey.

Running until 10th August 2026, Journey invites art lovers, critics and curious wanderers alike to walk through corridors where heritage breathes, and every brushstroke echoes as a heartbeat of devotion.