Piyali Karmakar Arts Teacher

I’ve been teaching art from my home at 84/A, Rabindrapally for a good number of years. It’s just me, Piyali Karmakar, and a lot of art supplies scattered around the room. This part of Kolkata 700049 is usually quiet, which helps when you’re trying to draw something difficult. The studio is just an extra room I have, so it feels very much like a home. There are splashes of paint on the floor and stacks of old sketches in the corner. I don’t really go for a professional, polished look. It’s a place for creativity and that usually involves a bit of a mess. Students come by in the afternoons after their regular school is done. We don't have a rigid schedule or any fancy certificates. It’s just about sitting down and learning how to use colors properly. Sometimes we talk about life, sometimes we just work in silence. I don’t have a big sign outside my house. People just know the address and show up. It’s a very local, community-based way of learning art. I think it makes the kids feel more comfortable than being in a big, cold classroom. We use simple materials and just try to get better every day. If you’re looking for a formal academy, this isn’t it. It’s just a house in Rabindrapally where we make art together. It’s my way of sharing what I know with the neighborhood.