End of an Era for Kolkata’s Iconic Trams

End of an Era for Kolkata’s iconic Trams: A 151-Year Legacy.

India’s oldest tram network, inaugurated in Kolkata in 1883, has reached the end of the line. As the city bids farewell to this nostalgic mode of transport, a significant chapter in India’s urban history closes, leaving behind a rich legacy of memories and heritage.

Journey from Kolkata | 48” x 72” | Acrylic on Canvas | 2022

I was fortunate enough to create many paintings of Kolkata’s trams during my days at GCAC and even afterward. To introduce my Kolkata tram painting, I must begin with my time living in Kolkata. From 2001 to 2007, I was a student at the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata.

Day in Winter, Kolkata | Watercolor on 300gsm Arches Paper | 22” x 30”  | 2020

During this period, I stayed in the college hostel at 20 Jadulal Mullick Road, Kolkata 6, an architectural gem from the British era. The surrounding areas, rich with remnants of colonial architecture, exuded a nostalgic charm that endures even today. As an art student, this environment offered me abundant opportunities to closely observe and study the area’s historic streets and vibrant street life.

Freedom of kolkata II | Watercolor on 300gsm Fabriano paper | 30” x 22” | 2017

So I was in hostel for long 6 years and back in those days my outdoor sessions were mainly based on capturing compositions of streets on my college to hostel route and surrounding areas, like I used to practice the everyday life scenes in Bara Bazar, Ahiritola, Nakhoda Masjid area, Shobhabazar, Kolkata Maidan, Esplanade, Maniktala, B.B.D Bagh tram depot, Kalighat tram depot, Ballygunge phari and other places.

Kolkata Winter | 36” x 48” | Acrylic on Canvas | 2024

The streets are always busy with working people, hand pulled rickshaws, vintage tram, yellow taxis and with the hustle and bustle of city life. I remember how every day I went out and study these areas. I would have every possible areas sketched as my subject that I found in my artistic eyes back in those days. So from these activities I gradually started to do Old Kolkata Paintings and progressively I developed this into a series. My old Kolkata Painting series mainly portrays those areas that I mainly studied during my college time as a student. Where I had captured many moods of the old Kolkata in different day times. Especially which you can see in my paintings of different streets of Bara Bazar and surrounding areas as I told before.

Vintage Kolkata | Watercolor on 300gsm Fabriano paper | 22” x 30” | 2017

With all these uncountable aspects the vibes won’t be enough if I don’t add tram on my paintings. Tram line areas to observe the vehicle movement closely on the roads. The dark tone of the vehicle surrounded by warm lights and a nostalgic set of windows and gate makes it more attracting to get paint. Irrespective of the mediums it creates the same beautiful weight on the painting.

Kolkata II | Acrylic on Canvas | 45” x 60” | 2011

Also the interesting points are tram line and the electric wires that are aligned over with the tram create a good perspective view in the painting. That’s why Kolkata tram painting always has its incomparable space in my series. It is most amazing when tram passes the road in a slow rhythmic movement with the bell sound everyone steps aside to give it the space, I find it as similar when elephant roves through the forest in its royal attitude.

Our Kolkata | Watercolor on 300gsm Arches paper | 30” x 22” | 2005

So lots of my Kolkata city paintings there you will see tram on the road. This has a special space as the vehicle itself has its own beauty and a history. If you know the history of the Kolkata tram, you may know it is the oldest existing tram network operating in India, and the first city to get its electric tram in Asia which was started in 1902. The city has also witnessed tram being driven by horse once upon a time. That is why tram is one of the exemplars of Kolkata’s rich historical past and glory of the city. With many people travelling daily it has become the Life line over the heart of the City! Few of those historical paragons without which the first capital of India, Calcutta can’t be imagined, Kolkata Tram is one of them.

Kolkata Afternoon II | 30” x 40” | Acrylic on Canvas | 2023