Kolkata: Age may bring experience, but it does not put a limit on creativity. Reinforcing this message, 50 senior citizens came together at the iconic Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata to celebrate art, self-expression and active ageing through an Art Therapy & Creative Wellness Workshop titled ‘Creativity Never Retires’.
The initiative was organised by Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur Cluster in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Victoria Memorial Hall as part of the hospital’s Senior Citizens Happiness Week. The programme was attended by Agnimitra 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.
Adding a unique dimension to the event, the painting workshop was led by two senior doctors from Manipal Hospitals Mukundapur Cluster, who are accomplished painters themselves. Dr. Sanjoy Basu, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead – Department of Medical Gastroenterology, and Dr. Sumanta Dey, Lead Consultant, General & Minimal Access Surgery, stepped beyond their clinical roles to engage with the participants through art.
The doctors encouraged the senior citizens to experiment with colours, patterns and ideas, creating an atmosphere of freedom, interaction and self-expression.
The programme was also attended by Komal Dashora, Cluster Director – Manipal Hospitals (Mukundapur Cluster), and Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya, Secretary & Curator, Victoria Memorial Hall. Prof. Muktinath Mondal of Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, also joined the workshop and enriched the creative experience.
Speaking at the event, Agnimitra Paul highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for senior citizens to reconnect with their creativity. She also shared that, having worked as a fashion designer, drawing had once been an integral part of her life and that returning to painting after several years was a special experience.
Dr. Sayan Bhattacharya said that Victoria Memorial Hall is not only an architectural landmark but also a space for art, participation and shared experiences. He noted that the idea behind ‘Creativity Never Retires’ reflects the belief that creativity, curiosity and the desire for self-expression are not restricted by age.
According to Dr. Sanjoy Basu, creativity has no expiry date. He emphasised that healthy ageing should include emotional and mental well-being alongside physical health. Art, he said, provides an opportunity to pause, express oneself and reconnect with one’s inner self.
Dr. Sumanta Dey said that art has the ability to bring people together and create joy and connection. He added that senior citizens carry a wealth of experiences, memories and stories, and art provides another language through which these experiences can be expressed.
For the participants, the workshop offered an opportunity to step away from their everyday routines and engage in something new. Subhra Mukherjee, an 80-year-old participant from Tollygunge, said participating in the workshop with her husband was particularly meaningful and that such activities serve as a reminder that age should never come in the way of enjoying life.
The workshop was one of the key highlights of Manipal Hospitals’ Senior Citizens Happiness Week, which brought senior citizens together through activities focused on active ageing, happiness and holistic well-being. The initiative also included a Senior Citizens’ Sports Summit.
Selected artworks created during the workshop will be showcased at the Indian Museum, allowing the participants’ creativity to reach a wider audience.
The initiative highlighted the importance of keeping senior citizens socially, mentally and creatively engaged. More than an art workshop, ‘Creativity Never Retires’ became a celebration of individuality, experience and the continuing joy of creating at every stage of life.
