Artist Soumyadeep Roy's latest exhibition, "Shahrashob," explores migration and identity through the lens of historical and personal narratives. The show traces movements from Delhi to Lucknow in the 18th century, Lucknow to Calcutta in the 19th century, and post-partition shifts to Bombay and Karachi, centering on Wajid Ali Shah's journey to Kolkata and the creation of a mini-Lucknow in Metiabruz. The exhibition features video films of paan-sellers in Lucknow and Calcutta, archival references, and creative re-imaginings, drawing on Roy's personal bonds with descendants of historical figures.
The exhibition matters because it addresses the universal yet often overlooked theme of migration as a core element of urban and cultural identity, using visual art to bridge historical archives and contemporary lived experience. By focusing on personal stories and liminal spaces, Roy challenges conventional historical narratives and highlights the emotional and social dimensions of displacement, making the work relevant to ongoing global conversations about migration, belonging, and cultural memory.