Sunday Translation By Asim Bhattacharya (Original: Manas Sarkar)

The Ultimate Touch of the Brush

Asim Bhattacharya (Original: ‘তুলির শেষ টান’ by Manas Sarkar)

The brush was moving from one end of the canvas to the other. After finishing the work of the thick brush, Ranjan has taken up the finer one. Though working on it, he doesn’t find satisfaction in it. He can’t depict it to come alive as he desires. He’s also been mentally scattered since the morning. Sudiptaa is in hospital for a month now. Her condition is critical today. Dr Chatterjee has already given his verdict. Ranjan understands, he is hardly capable to deal with Acute Renal Failure. One can’t breathe life into someone by crushing paintbrushes.

He heard Srijan’s mobile ringing. He is to go at night. His son was there all day. Though Srijan has picked up the phone, his voice is hushed. Ranjan glanced at the painting. He is trying to portray the eternal sacrifice of a woman in this oil painting. He failed to find the existence of flesh and blood in the smell of turpentine. Even a couple of years ago, Sudipta gave up the last piece of her ornament to buy the canvas. Ranjan’s success did not come, however.
Dad, Srijan came and stood behind silently. His voice appeared trembling. Ranjan turned still. Moved his lips like a machine –
– Over?
– Twenty past four.
He soaked the brush in linseed oil. A softer figure touch-up in black… and the sound of breath began to emerge from the canvas.