Contemporary arts in Bengal: modernity and status
This grant was helpful in preparing a convincing research proposal for the doctoral programme at the Faculty of Fine Arts, the M S University of Baroda. Subsequently I was engaged in documentation works towards the study. The research experience also gave me the confidence to handle the ambitions and take part in a major art exhibition - Art of Bengal, Past and Present - a joint venture with the Centre of International Modern Art, Kolkata.
Baluchar silk and temple terracottas: a comparative study of motifs
The award gave me a good opportunity to travel and visit many terracotta temples in remote villages in Bengal that remained unknown and undocumented. I have (2001) prepared a popular article and two research papers are ready for publication. I interact usefully with a stream of students and research workers from the Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati and Burdwan University Bardhaman.
Bengal Sultanate Coins
In 1996 I undertook a research project entitled "Coinage and Currency System of Bengal Sultans (1204-1576 AD inmy capacity as Fellow of the Institute. A part of this project involved indepth study and documentation of coins preserved in public collections inridge the UK. I applied for a Visiting Fellowship in 1997 and received the award in 1998 which was the ideal time for mto visit the UK after completing the first phase of rsearch work on the coin hoards of the Bengal Sultanate in India.
