Spiritual world of Katayun Saklat: talks with a Parsi painter in Kolkata

Abstract

The article presents the author’s field ethnographic material, the recorded stories of Katayun Saklat, an artist belonging to the Parsi Zoroastrian community of Kolkata. The objects of study are the history of her life and the key factors that shaped her personality: family and upbringing, the life experience of her father, Rustam Saklat, meeting and communication with the teacher, Dinshaw K. Mehta, as well as immersion in the world of artistic culture and the meanings invested in creativity. Based on conversations with Katayun, an attempt is made to analyze the relationship between individual religiosity and adherence to tradition, and how personal memories are searched for balance and awareness within the framework of a personal spiritual path.