Dada's Journey

Quite marvelous life of Dr. Dwijen Sen - fondly called as Dada!

The life of Dr. Dwijen Sen, also known as Dada, was quite remarkable. Born on 25 December 1924, in Bardhaman, West Bengal, he hailed from a family with a rich tradition of lawyers, doctors, and academicians. Despite his family's expectations for him to study medicine, Dada was determined to pursue his passion for art.

He left home at a young age and ventured to Calcutta, where he briefly involved with the revolutionary freedom fighters but soon realizing his artistic talent, he traveled to Shantiniketan, where he received mentorship from Abanindranath Tagore and studied at Kala Bhavan along with Nandlal Bose and Benode Bihari Mukherjee. Finally, he graduated from Vishwa Bharati with a diploma in painting and sculpting, in 1946.

Subsequently, he embarked on a journey across India, seeking out opportunities to hone his skills as a sculptor. He also went Kathmandu, Nepal to learn skills of Bronze Casting. Eventually in 1947, he arrived in Dehradun and joined the Manava Bharti School, where he made significant contributions to the school's artistic and aesthetic endeavors.

Dada's legacy lives on through his sculptures, including those adorning the main gate of Manava Bharti School, serving as a testament to his enduring impact on the institution.

A SALUTE TO 75 YEARS IN THE SERVICE OF ART

It gives me great pleasure to join the celebration of Kala Kendra’s Platinum Jubilee this year. These 75 years in the service of art and artists, stand as a tribute to the individuals who founded and nurtured this institution. Every enabler - however significant or small, every work of art created here or through the education imparted here, every artistic process that found progress or expression here, every exhibition, event or conversation that happened here - all these have been the bricks and mortar that built this wonderful institution. When Dada founded Kala Kendra in 1949, he probably had no idea that his institution would contribute so vibrantly to the art, film, music and literary discourse of this town. I join generations of Kala Kendra’s students, teachers and friends in working towards ensuring that Kala Kendra retains its unique character and continues its excellent work for many more years to come. - Vibha Puri Das

Glimpses of Dada's Work

The history of Dada's work at Kala Kendra is rich and diverse. In 1949, Dada started the Kala Kendra with some initial challenges. He teamed up with Kapoor Sahib to set up Chitrashala Kala Kendra in the verandah and front hall of 1, Patel Road. The space was later expanded and partitioned into multiple areas to accommodate teaching, communal space, and Dada's studio. The property was originally owned by Dr. Om Prakash and later managed by Rai Bahadur Ugrasain.

As Kala Kendra expanded, Dada developed a comprehensive teaching syllabus and attracted more students. His family and the Dougall family, who lived on the premises, shared a warm relationship. Dada's adoptive father, Pyare Lal Dougall, moved to Delhi for a teaching assignment, while the rest of the Dougall family continued to stay at 1, Patel Road.

Dada also undertook a significant sculpting commission for a larger-than-life figure of Vallabh Bhai Patel. With resource constraints, he set up a makeshift casting setup behind Kala Kendra and cast Patel's statue in several parts. Despite the challenges, Dada persevered and experimented with different materials for his casting work, demonstrating his tenacity and determination.

The team involved in the casting process had diverse backgrounds, reflecting the characterful nature of Dada's casting team. Shakuntala Dougall, played a bustling role in overseeing the activities. This rich history of Dada's work at Kala Kendra showcases his innovative spirit and dedication to his craft.

Chronicling Dada’s last years

(This is the account of Col. Vijay Kumar Dougall (retd.), who was Dada’s principal carer in the final years of his life.)

Certainly, here's the rewritten text: In October 2001, I had dinner with Dada at Kala Kendra. That night, shortly after returning home, I received a call informing me that Dada had fallen unconscious. We rushed him to Chandigarh for medical attention, where Dada was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and despite surgeries and treatments, his health continued to decline. After spending some time at AIIMS, he returned home and eventually suffered a stroke before passing away. Throughout his final days, I had meaningful conversations with Dada and pondered on the reasons behind his prolonged suffering.