By Ankita Shaw:- What happens when age-old wisdom meets the timeless joy of creation? At a special celebration of Senior Citizens Day, 50 senior citizens came together at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata to rediscover the joy of colours, creativity and self-expression as part of ‘Creativity Never Retires’, an Art Therapy & Creative Wellness Workshop organised by Manipal Hospital Mukundapur Cluster in collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Victoria Memorial Hall. The programme was graced by the presence of Sreemati Agnimitra Paul, Cabinet Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal.
Adding a unique dimension to the initiative, the painting workshop was led by two senior doctors from Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur Cluster, who are accomplished painters themselves, DrSanjoy Basu, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead – Department of Medical Gastroenterology and DrSumanta Dey, Lead Consultant, General & Minimal Access SurgeryStepping beyond their clinical roles, the doctors engaged with participants through art, encouraging them to explore colours, patterns and ideas freely while discovering the joy of creative expression. MrKomal Dashora, Cluster Director – Manipal Hospitals (Mukundapur Cluster), and DrSayan Bhattacharya, Secretary & Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, were also present at the initiative, while ProfMuktinath Mondal, Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, joined the workshop, further enriching the creative experience and celebrating the spirit of art, expression and active ageing.
The initiative was conceptualised as part of Manipal Hospitals’ Senior Citizens Happiness Week, centred around the simple yet powerful belief that creativity has no age limitThe week-long celebration brought together senior citizens through meaningful experiences designed to promote active ageing, happiness and holistic well-being, with the Art Therapy & Creative Wellness Workshop and the Senior Citizens’ Sports Summit forming key highlights of the initiativeThe workshop brought senior citizens together in an inspiring and engaging setting, exploring art as a medium for relaxation, emotional expression, social connection and self-discoveryParticipants immersed themselves in painting and other creative activities, transforming a morning at the historic monument into a vibrant celebration of imagination, individuality and the enduring joy of self-expression.
SmtAgnimitra Paul, Cabinet Minister for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal, who also participated in the workshop and painted a portrait of Bharat Mata, said, “It was truly heartening to see so many senior citizens come together to participate in this wonderful art workshop organised by Manipal Hospitals and Victoria Memorial HallInitiatives like these are important as they create a space for our elders to express themselves, reconnect with their creativity and simply enjoy the momentHaving spent years as a fashion designer, drawing was once an integral part of my life, and it was a wonderful feeling to pick up a brush and paint again after so many yearsI chose to paint Bharat Mata because she symbolises every mother and embodies the love, respect and gratitude we hold for our mothersIt was the first thought that came to my mind as I began to paint, and it felt especially meaningful to bring that thought to life through art.”
About the programme, DrSayan Bhattacharya, Secretary & Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall, said, “Victoria Memorial Hall, the most visited museum in the nation, is not only an architectural landmark, but a living symbol of Kolkata’s enduring relationship with art and aesthetics. From its very foundation, it has embodied ideas of inclusivity, and collective participationAlthough conceived and built as a colonial memorial, its foundation stone carries a significant message, it was built with the contributions of the ‘People of India’In that sense, the monument has, over time, acquired a meaning far beyond its original colonial context and but reflects the civilisational ethos of Bharat: a culture that values diversity, embraces differences and believes in inclusionAs Victoria Memorial Hall continues to reinvent itself in keeping with the goal of a Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, it is especially heartening to see this historic institution becoming an increasingly inclusive and participatory space, welcoming senior citizens and celebrating their creativity, enthusiasm and life experiencesThe idea behind ‘Creativity Never Retires’ resonates deeply with the spirit of Victoria Memorial Hall, reminding us that creativity, curiosity and the desire to express oneself, are not bound by ageSenior citizens are an integral part of our society, carrying with them a wealth of experience, knowledge, memories, and cultural wisdomCreating opportunities for them to engage with art and creativity is therefore a reflection of our deeply rooted Bharatiya values of respect, inclusion and collective belongingMuseums are spaces for everyone, spaces of inclusivity, participation, and shared experiencesBy welcoming senior citizens and providing them with a platform for creative expression, this initiative creates opportunities to form new connections, create new memories and celebrate the richness of life, which further reflects the spirit of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi”.
Speaking on the occasion, DrSanjoy Basu, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead – Department of Medical Gastroenterology, said, “Creativity does not come with an expiry dateAs healthcare professionals, we often look at healthy ageing from the perspective of physical health, but emotional and mental well-being are equally importantArt allows us to pause, express ourselves and reconnect with our inner selvesIt was wonderful to see 50 senior citizens come together with such enthusiasm and remind us that the desire to create and explore remains vibrant at every stage of life.”
DrSumanta Dey, Lead Consultant, General & Minimal Access Surgery, said, “Art has a unique ability to bring people together and create a sense of joy and connectionToday’s workshop was a beautiful reminder that creativity is not restricted by ageSenior citizens carry with them a wealth of experiences, memories and stories, and art gives these experiences another languageSeeing the participants engage so enthusiastically with the activity was truly rewarding.”
Subhra Mukherjee, 80-year-old, a participant from Tollygunge, said, “One of the most refreshing parts of the day was being able to participate in the art workshop together with my husbandAt our age, opportunities to step away from our routine, have fun and express ourselves creatively are truly specialActivities like these remind us that age should never come in the way of enjoying lifeI am grateful to Manipal Hospitals for creating such a wonderful and meaningful experience for us.”
The workshop underscored the importance of keeping senior citizens socially and creatively engaged, celebrating ageing as a phase of continued learning, connection and self-expression. Selected artworks from the workshop will be showcased at the Indian Museum, giving participants an opportunity to share their creativity with a wider audienceThe initiative reflected Manipal Hospitals Kolkata’s commitment to holistic senior wellness, recognising the importance of physical, emotional, mental and social well-beingAt its heart, ‘Creativity Never Retires’ was more than an art workshop, it was a celebration of creativity, individuality and the joy of staying engaged at every age.
