Author: sureshzmc07

“The beauty of art is that it transcends age, class, boundaries. Today, with technology, artists are no longer confined to the walls of a studio or gallery, the world is their canvas”- Paresh Maitypic Anindya Saha

Bengal is known as a region steeped in art and culture. Now, with the Bengal Biennale, people of Santiniketan and Kolkata are about to witness something they have never seen before, in November and December respectively. Artist Paresh Maity who is at the heart of this event, shares his vision on Bengal’s artscape and the Biennale’s significance. “It’s going to be a feast for the senses on a large scale with art taking over streets, galleries, and hearts,” he introduces CT to what can be expected from the festival.

‘It’s not just an event, it’s a movement’

The Padma Shri awardee promises a spectacle for a few days in the city, as landmarks such as Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Birla Academy and Academy of Fine Arts to name a few, are set to turn into canvases.He says, “It’s not just an event– it’s a movement. Bengal has always had art in its DNA, but this? This is another level.”
Colours are pure emotion– life is all about colours, isn’t it?’
Reflecting on the usage of vibrant colours in his artwork, he says life is all about colours: “You look at a vivid sunset, and suddenly, the world feels brighter. I believe in the healing power of colours, they lift spirits, and my paintings reflect that.” He adds, “People have told me that my art has pulled them out of a bad day. That’s the magic of colour. It doesn’t just fill a canvas, it fills hearts.”

An installation that reflects urban life for the Bengal Biennale
A cast bronze sculpture, weighing seven tonnes and 26 feet in length titled ‘Urbanscape’ is what defines Maity’s installation for the Biennale. “It reflects urban life, how we coexist in a city that’s bustling but somehow harmonised,” he explains, adding, “It’ll be displayed at Victoria Memorial, and will be two and a half floors high. It took over a year to make it in Jaipur, and every ounce of bronze in it has a story to tell.”
‘A large-scale sculpture requires focus and foresight’
Working on a large-scale piece needs logistical and creative juggling, feels Paresh. He explains, “One has to constantly battle scale and perspective. It demands complete focus and good foresight, especially because optical illusions can trick you. But I would not have it any other way. I live for the thrill of it.’

“I will be painting one of the majestic Bankura horses at the Biennale, along with students and artists, as a nod to our past. It’s about taking something old and making it new again”- Paresh Maity

Instead of spending on luxurious items or having a lavish lifestyle, people who had humble beginnings in life prefer to value diverse experiences more. These would be spending quality time with loved ones, going on a trek, watching a good movie together at home, etc. For them, having a happy and healthy family or loved ones is the true luxury in life and rightly so. They also have more appreciation and value of relationships and experiences than those who grew up in worldly riches.

Shakib Al Hasan (PTI Photo)

KANPUR: Star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan on Thursday admitted that travelling to India is the toughest Test assignment and pitches don’t make much difference due to the sheer quality of the hosts. Bangladesh are still searching for their first Test win against India since 2000, when they first clashed in Dhaka.
The two teams have played 14 times against each other with India winning 12 contests while the remaining two ended in draws.
“If you look at other countries, every now and then they will lose one or two games. But in India, you hardly see them losing in Test matches. So yes, I would say you are right,” Shakib told reporters when asked if a tour to India was indeed the toughest assignment.
“We won against them in the ODI series in Bangladesh, we were very close to win a game against them in a Test match in Bangladesh. In Test cricket, we haven’t got the success that we are looking for. Tomorrow we will have another opportunity.
“I thought in patches we played really well in Chennai. But having said that, finishing the match in three-and-a-half days wasn’t ideal for us. We felt like we were a better team than that. So, we need to show that in tomorrow’s match,” he added.
Bangladesh did extremely well to win the Test series 2-0 in Pakistan before coming to India, and Shakib drew a comparison between the two teams.
“Pakistan is a relatively new team. In experience, I would say, if you look at the matches they played and if you look at our team and the matches we have played, we have got more experience than them. And in Test cricket I think that is a massive factor.
“If I talk about India, they are the number one team in the World Championship at this moment. They are probably unbeatable at home. I saw a stat somewhere where for some 4000 days they have been unbeaten in India. So, that shows how good they are in India.
“They have been doing well outside India as well. Any country that came to India finding it difficult, we are no different there. But having said that, we have to play really well against them to be able to show the fight that we feel like we can put on,” he noted.
Asked if a spin-friendly pitch in Kanpur would help their cause, Shakib was clear that tracks are not a big factor when it comes to competing against quality teams.
“When you play against a team like India, Australia, England, pitches don’t matter much because they will obviously have their weapon with which they can attack us.
“They will have quality spinners, they will have quality fast bowlers, they will have quality batsmen. So, I don’t think pitch will have any effect. It’s just we have to perform better than what we have done in Chennai.”
Shakib exhorted the young Bangladeshi batters to score big for the team to be competitive.
“If I talk about batting only, I think there has been an improvement. If you see from the first innings to the second innings. First innings we bowled out for about 150.
“In the second innings, we scored about 250. If we can score 350, somewhere there, I think that will be a huge improvement. And 350 to 400 on first innings will give us a lot of confidence and the dressing room will feel a lot more comfortable,” he said.

Elam coins were issued for use in Sri Lanka and were in circulation in countries where the Cholas ruled.

CHENNAI: Three govt school girl students have found a 1,000-year-old Elam coin, engraved with the name of Rajaraja Chola (985-1012 AD), while playing near their homes in Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu.
Class VIII students K Manimegalai, S Dhivyadharshini and S Kanishkasri are members of the heritage club at the Suresh Sudha Azhaghan Memorial Govt Higher Secondary School.They have learnt to identify ancient coins, potsherds and read estampage of stone inscriptions as part of the club activities.
A week ago, they were digging a pit near their homes while playing. They found the coin in the pit they dug.
V Rajaguru, the secretary of the heritage club and president of the Ramanathapuram Archaeological Research Foundation, said he visited the spot indicated by the students and found a Chinese porcelain, potsherds, iron ore and red potsherds there.
On one side of the coin, a man is seen standing with a flower in his hand. On his left, there are four circles. There is a crescent above him. On the right is a trident and a lamp.
On the other side of the coin, a man is seen seated with a conch in his hand. The name “Srirajaraja” is engraved in Devanagari script near his left hand in three lines. The edges of the coin are worn out.
Rajaguru said Elam coins were issued in gold, silver, and copper to commemorate the conquest of Sri Lanka by Rajaraja Chola I. The one the girls found is a copper coin.
Elam coins have been found in coastal areas of Ramanathapuram district like Periyapattinam, Thondi, Kalimankundu and Alagankulam.
These coins were issued for use in Sri Lanka and were in circulation in countries where the Cholas ruled.
Headmaster G Mahendran Kannan and teachers appreciated the students for finding the ancient coin.
Earlier, the students from the same school had found Elam coins in Panchanthangi, Thathanendal and Koraikuttam around Thirupullani.

Brisk walking has recently gained attention to become a popular exercise for staying fit and healthy. It’s, of course, simple to do, and has sureshot effects on the body, and also is accessible to people of all ages. But does it pose any threat to our knees or can it be of concern for those with knee concerns, like arthritis or previous injuries? Can brisk walking hurt your knees? Does it worsen existing problems? Here is the answer to your questions like how this form of exercise impacts knee joints and how to walk right to protect them.
“Brisk walking has benefits, even for individuals with arthritis. It promotes joint lubrication, enhances the strength of the muscles around the knees, and can improve mobility. However, individuals with arthritis should be mindful of their pain levels and avoid walking on uneven surfaces, as these can increase the strain on the knees,” said Dr. Rakesh Rajput, HOD & Director – Orthopaedics, CK Birla Hospital.

Impact of brisk walking on knee joints

Brisk walking can help most people strengthen the muscles surrounding their knees and improve their overall joint health. However, if you already have knee concerns such as arthritis or cartilage degradation, you should follow some caution. Walking’s repetitive movement stresses the knees. Walking at a brisk speed can improve mobility, but it can also increase some discomfort under various circumstances. Walking promotes circulation to the joints, which can help with stiffness, but walking too much at that pace also inflames the tissues around the knee.
“The ability to brisk walk and its consequences depend on many factors like body weight, muscle strength, grade of knee arthritis. In obese patients with severe knee arthritis or unstable knee due to previous ligament injury, brisk walking may aggravate pain and cause problems. A general rule of thumb is that if the patient feels comfortable during and after brisk walking, then they should continue to do it. If pain starts early on during brisk walking, it is best avoided,” explained Dr Sahil Gaba, Consultant, Orthopaedic and joint replacement, Amrita Hospital Faridabad.

If you have pain while or after walking, your knees may be under too much strain. Excessive walking can cause cartilage wear and strain over time, especially if your posture is poor or you’re pushing yourself too hard.

Can brisk walking lead to knee injuries?

Brisk walking, when done correctly, generally doesn’t cause knee injuries in healthy individuals. In the long term walking with poor technique can cause problems. Improper form, walking on uneven surfaces, or wearing the wrong shoes may increase stress on the knees, which can lead to potential injuries like tendinitis, ligament strains, or meniscus tears.

For those with pre-existing conditions like arthritis, long-term walking can increase these symptoms if not done properly.
“The most common symptom is pain in the knee, which is generally aggravated after walking or prolonged standing. Another common symptom is instability of the knee, which generally manifests as giving way while walking or climbing stairs. The knee buckles and patients can even loose balance and fall. Then comes locking of the knee. Locking episodes lead to sudden jerky resistance to knee movement and are generally accompanied by pain. Patients feel like something is mechanically blocking their knee movement. More commonly, these episodes are short lived and movement of knee becomes normal after a few minutes, but sometimes locking can persist for hours or days and may even need surgical intervention,” said Dr Sahil.

Warning signs of knee injuries

Your body often gives warning signs before a knee injury gets worse. Pay attention to these key symptoms:

“Key signs of knee injuries include persistent pain, swelling, a feeling of instability or the knee “giving out,” and difficulty in bending or straightening the knee. A grinding sensation or the knee locking during movement can also indicate an injury,” said Dr Rakesh.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to stop and rest. Ignoring these signs can worsen the condition, making recovery longer and more difficult.

How to walk right: Proper technique to protect your knees

Walking with the right posture and technique can greatly reduce stress on your knees. Here are some tips:

“When waking, one should try and stand straight with head facing forwards, avoid head stooping down and try and keep your gaze straight ahead. Stand straight to keep the spine elongated, and not stooping or leaning forward. Balance can be improved by trying and contracting abdominal muscles while walking. Swinging the arms straight ahead during walking improves balance. Supportive and comfortable footwear is also important,” suggested Dr Sahil.
Avoid walking on hard or uneven surfaces for longer periods. These can increase the impact on your knees, leading to discomfort or injury.