Delhi-based artist Susanta Mandal, 61, captivates audiences with his kinetic sculptures that masterfully blend motion and emotion. His Magic Lantern series uses light and shadow to create shifting narratives, while works like Caged Sacks provoke thought about entrapment and life. Mandal's art often employs mechanical contraptions to create eerie effects, such as twitching sacks that suggest hidden beings. His fascination with the ephemeral and the uncertain has roots in traditional shadow puppetry, and he has experimented with various mechanisms, including solar power, to enhance viewer interaction. Mandal's installations encourage audiences to reflect on the relationship between joy and uncertainty, showcasing the potential of static objects to convey profound messages. Despite the challenges of creating motion-based art in India, Mandal's work serves as a testament to the possibilities of merging ancient wisdom with modern technology.