Reminiscences of old city life

Artist Parag Tandel’s sculpture show running in the city is a continuation from his last show titled Pregnant Room. And all the works in the last as well as in this show reflect Mumbai differently.

The highlighted work of the show is the one in which rotis are stitched upon. Parag explains that this work finds its origin in Thane, the city where he lives.

He says, “In Thane many women make rotis and sell them to hotels. Currently this is their main source of livelihood. But a few years ago, these women’s ancestors were mainly fishermen and fisherwomen.” 

He continues, “Back in the 1980’s, these fisher folk got into working in industries but ultimately the companies shut shop. The creek was contaminated and they couldn’t fish anymore as there were no fish left in the creek. They took up to making rotis. Thus, the art work narrates the survival story of these women and the rapidly changing and adapting city life.”

Parag himself hails from the fishermen community and hence there is another prominent work that focuses on the life of this community in Mumbai.

Parag explains his art work, “In a fish tank I have shown growth of trees that are made out of bones. Many of my friends who would go fishing everyday have now started breeding fish. They have completely shifted the way of their lives, it’s in complete contrast.

These friends of mine also went to gutters to collect insects to feed the fishes. This was funny and I have shown it in my work.”

Another work talks about the death of an old machine used in the household. “Recently my mom was using a patta (traditional stone grinder) and my neighbours downstairs complained about the noise it made,” recalls Parag.

He continues, “These works have been forever useful to humans but with changing times today its relevance is lost. My other works reflect this thought.”