Patachitra, a unique cultural tradition of Bengal, draws inspiration from the mythological tales of India. The word Pata comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Patta’, meaning “cloth” and Chitra refers to “painting”. In Patachitra, stories are painted as frames on long scrolls and the Patuas who paint Patas, gradually unfurl them while presenting the story through their songs. The songs are known as Pater Gaan. All the artists bear the last name ‘Chitrakar’. Patachitra has drawn the attention and interest of artists, art connoisseurs and art researchers and has been nationally and internationally acclaimed as a very interesting style of painting. The changing time has been deftly captured by the Patuas. Traditionally, the paintings were on mythological stories. They paint on stories based on Manasamangal, Ramayan, Krishna and his love for Radha, on Satyapir etc. Many other topics like life of tribal people, marriage of fish and stories of wild animals also find buoyant expression in their painted frames.
The community uses natural colours sourced from flowers and leaves for their paintings.
Improvising from mythological stories, today the painters depict incidents like Tsunami or 9/11, climate change and other contemporary social issues like gender-based violence, child marriage in their scrolls.
The village is a flourishing hub of 300+ artists. The average monthly income of the artists has is in the range of Rs 15,000 with the leading ones earning two to three times more than the average. ....
The village is a flourishing hub of 300+ artists. The average monthly income of the artists has is in the range of Rs 15,000 with the leading ones earning two to three times more than the average. Naya’s Patuas have carved out a niche for themselves in both national and international art markets. They paint on diverse themes and are commissioned to paint scrolls and walls on different themes. The storytelling tradition is also alive. The local artists have formed a society named ‘Chitrataru’ to facilitate the business of the artists. Several artists have visited Italy, USA, France, Germany, Australia, Sweden, UK, China countries to showcase their traditional art form. The socioeconomic improvement and pride has drawn the young generation to continue the tradition contributing to the sustainability of the art form.
The artists organize their annual village festival “PotMaya” since 2010. Around 6000 people from adjacent villages and Kolkata visit the village during this annual festival. Gradually the place has emerged as a cultural tourism destination and tourists use to visit the village to interact with the artists throughout the year. A Folk Art Centre is set up to showcase art form and facilitates training. Patachitra workshops in the village and in the cities attended by school groups, students of arts and design schools helped to promote the art form and create awareness. Many of the artists are selling their product via social media mediums.
Swarna Chitrakar is a traditional scroll painter from the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. Born in Naya village of Pingla block in Paschim Medinipur district, she belongs to a family of Patuas who practice a unique folk art of painting-cum-storytelling through songs. Swarna, now in her late forties, has been practicing the art since she was a child. She bagged the state-level award in 1994. Over the last two decades, she has been critically acclaimed across India and abroad. Till the summer of 2018, Swarna had visited the US five times and the UK twice, apart from France, Italy, Germany and Sweden to showcase her art skills, to collaborate with artists and to participate in residency programs. Her paintings are bought by connoisseurs and collectors.
Mamoni Chitrakar, daughter of Swarna Chitrakar has been painting Patas and singing the songs related to the form since childhood. She has been trained at home by her mother and specializes in paintings on Manasha Mangal and Chandi Mangal. Influenced by seniors, Mamoni has also painted on issues like HIV, 9/11 and Tsunami. She has showcased her art at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and also at Italy and Bahrain. She participated in a cultural exchange program with Smithsonian Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, visited Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2018 in Washington, D.C. and performed at cultural institutions like Freer|Sackler gallery.
Bahadur Chitrakar is a leading Patachitra artist from Naya village of Pingla block in Paschim Medinipur district. He learnt the art from his parents who continued their family tradition of painting Patachitra. Bahadur specialises in traditional and Kalighat Patachitra styles. He also paints Patachitra on dress materials and home décor items. He conducts art workshops in schools and colleges as well. Bahadur has participated in events in New Delhi and Mumbai and also travelled to Moscow to showcase his Patachitra skills.
Suman Chitrakar is a prominent, young Patachitra artist from Pingla block of Paschim Medinipur district. He was trained in the art by well-known veteran Patachitra artist Joydeb Chitrakar. Suman is skilled in traditional, Santhal and Kalighat Patachitra styles and works on diverse items. He has travelled widely across India and abroad, including London and Glasgow.
Sushasma Chitrakar is a prominent, young Patachitra artist from Pingla block in Paschim Medinipur district. She started learning the art at the age of five from her parents Rani Chitrakar and Shyam Sundar Chitrakar, well-known Patachitra artists. Sushma specialises in painting on social issues, alongside traditional themes. She paints on diverse items as well as traditional Patachitra. Sushama has participated in events across India and also been to Norway and Taiwan.
Rahim Chitrakar is a leading, young Patachitra artist from Pingla block of Paschim Medinipur district. He started learning the art at the age of eight and wen ton to win the district prize in 2005. Apart from painting traditional Patachitra, Rahim works on diverse products, including dress material. He has participated in events across India.
Jaba Chitrakar is a renowned Patua of Naya in Pingla, Pachim Medinipur district. She is adored for her soulful rendition of ‘Pater Gaan’. She started learning the art of Patachitra during her childhood from legendary Patua Dukhushyam Chitrakar. Jaba has participated in exhibitions and events across India. She has visited France twice where she has also participated in a workshop. Her two daughters Sonia Chitrakar and Mousumi Chitrakar have also established themselves as accomplished artists and bearing the tradition with high enthusiasm.
Rupsona Chitrakar, 22 years old, is a patachitra artist of Pingla. She started painting at the age of six and learnt from her father Bahadur Chitrakar and grandmother Baharjan Chitrakar. She paints on religious themes and works on apparels as well. She has participated in exhibitions and fairs in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore and Pune.
Montu Chitrakar is an eminent Patachitra artist from Pingla block of Paschim Medinipur district. He started painting at the age of 10 and went on to become an accomplished artist by his early youth and won the district award for his skills. He has participated in events across India and also been to Australia and Indonesia, where he was awarded for his painting skills.
Manu Chitrakar, 44, has been painting since the age of 15. He loves to depict social issues in his works. Manu has travelled all across India and to Sweden and Paris as well.
Anwar Chitrakar is an eminent Patachitra artist who learnt the art as a child from his father Amar Chitrakar. Incidentally, Anwar worked as a tailor for nine years before returning to Patachitra. He specialises in the traditional square format of Patachitra and his creations are showcased in prestigious galleries across India, including the Jahangir Art Gallery and Kumaraswamy Hall in Mumbai. He has travelled widely across the country and abroad, including Japan and Germany.
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This research project, Heritage Sensitive Intellectual Property and Marketing strategies: India (HIPAMS - INDIA), is funded by the British Academy's Sustainable Development Programme, supported under the UK Government's Global Challenges Research Fund 2018-2021.
