Artist: Ratnadwip Saha

Medium: Photography

Edition: 25/25

I believe that human being survived for so long thrivingly because we feed on literature and history. You may think now that why a photographer is suddenly being so poetic or ancient for that matter!

Well, it’s because my newest work inspires both literature and history. I believe literature nourish souls while history tends to brain and curiosity.

Presenting my special 25 editions of “Enclosed Chronicles" – the story of forgotten doors. A case study of doors where I tried to crawl deep into history behind each (pun intended).

But what about a door? What does a door mean to you? What had it signified for ages and eons?

For me, poetically speaking, door signifies security, privacy and intimacy. I think that door isn’t a separation but an escape. Door gives you the freedom of being unpretentious. An enclosed world becoming your haven of truth and salvation. For me its stolen kisses from my wife, it’s cuddling with my daughter and eating from my mother’s hand.

So, you see, the world of doors is fascinating!

But what about history? I have always been a curious admirer of certain places in India. Kolkata is one of them - North Kolkata to be exact. As many of you already know, North Kolkata has the richest of history. Every wall, every ally, every street, every shop enumerates stories… stories that are now merely an old lady’s whispers. From Sovabazaar to Kumortuli, Jora Sanko to College Street, Bagbazaar to Maniktala…every place screams of the past, a past full of tales and mysteries. Just thinking about the grandeur and the old culture this place holds gives me goosebumps.

Kolkata was under direct rule of the East India Company and not to mention is the greatest hub of business and port goods, thus making this place a congregation of Zamindars, Babus and all sorts of high class people. But parallelly was running a different Calcutta (note: Old Calcutta consisted of 3 cities together). A Calcutta of rebellion against the tyranny of Britishers. A Calcutta that gave rise to freedom fighters and inspired even women to join the cause.

But how is a door connected to all these histories? Yes, connected very well indeed!

These colourful doors that you are viewing belong to various households of Sova bazaar in the present time. Out of 200 odd captures, I finalised these 25 to be collaged and presented. I always wanted to do this project and finally 2022 presented itself with this opportunity when I visited north Kolkata some months ago. The sheer brilliance of the shot lies in the construct and vibrance of the architecture. Old Sova bazaar was known for its “Raj Bari (King’s palace) and its said that the king wanted his subjects to live vibrantly and thus such an vibrant architectural design evolved over the past few centuries.

But with time, glamour dies and what remains becomes the pages of history. With this capture, I am paying a tribute to the city of love - “Kolkata”. Let the city be always this vibrant and joyful, fast yet beautifully stable.

Image Specification: 3180 x 4770

Devices used: Nikon D500, iPhone 11 Pro Max

Shot in Year: 2022

Title: Enclosed Chronicles

Location: Kolkata, India

License: Primary NFT holder is free to use in advertising, display privately and in groups, including virtual galleries, documentaries and essays by holder of the NFT, as long as creator is credited. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works. Copyright remains with creator.

About the Artist: I am a self taught multidisciplinary photographer based out of Agartala, Tripura, India. My keen interest is in Street, Travel & Landscape photography. However, recently I have stepped into wildlife photography as well. My works are published in renowned pages like Tripoto Community, Outlook Traveller, BBC Hindi, Incredible India, Street Photography International etc. You can connect me on Instagram @my.wander.tales and see my work there for a wider perspective and understanding.