Showing 1–15 of 31 results
Mirabai
Mirabai is an immortal character who expressed her devotion to Lord Krishna through her music. This painting of Mirabai belongs to the typical Pata Shilpa gharana of Bengal. The simple yet bold strokes are the signature style of these artists who are the children of the soil. With these paintings, they tell the stories of Mirabai through songs, composed by themselves. This piece is created by Bahadur Chitrakar.
Saraswaati – Indian Goddess
The Chitrakars of Pingla are born to Muslim origin but their paintings and songs tell the tales of Hindu mythology. Thus they prove that art can rise above all religious bias and connect humans on an aesthetic plane. Surprisingly, most of these artists have no so called academic credentials. They learn from life and narrate their thoughts through their art. Bahadur Chitrakar created this art piece.
British Raj
Art speaks for time. The Pata Maya or Patachitra of Bengal, since time immemorial, has been the testimony of time. Our country served as a colony under the British rule for two hundred years and this painting depicts the socio-economic contrast between the British ruler and his indigenous servant of the then India.
Man and Wife
A rich man and his wife, enjoying leisure time over tobacco, is a common scene from the daily life of the then Bengal. The couple portrayed here represent a wealthy class. The abundance of jewelleries speaks for the affluence of the couple. The old days of Bengal’s socio-economic structure is well depicted in the painting. The art is generally coupled with a song that tells the story of the characters in the painting. Simple strokes to draw the figures and their attire and accessories have created magic here. It’s an art by Rajesh Chitrakar.
Kartik – Indian God
The Patachitra of Pingla generally depicts the stories of Hindu mythology. In this artwork we can see the Hindu God Kartik with his peacock, done by Suman Chitrakar. The colours used in these artworks are all derived from natural elements; for example green is made from leaves, yellow from turmeric, etc.
Ganesh Janani
Devi Durga is essentially seen as the super power destroying the asuras; but she is a loving mother too. in this painting we can see that she is holding her son Ganesha in her lap with utmost love, care and fondness. It depicts mothers love in a woman who can be as fierce at times too, to save her children from the evil. This is a very famous concept amongst the Bengalis which narrate the power of woman, who can destroy and who can create and preserve at the same time. A painting by Bahadur Chitrakar
Bibi playing Guitar
Babu Bibi
Painted in black and white, the old Kolkata’s Babu and Bibi (man and wife) talks about a common pass time for the couples, chatting and smoking. The painting style is known as ‘Kalighat er Patachitra’ which connects to Kalighat, the famous pilgrimage in Kolkata, and depicts the city life. Rajesh Chitrakar, an artist of the new generation has learned and mastered the art so well.
Ganesha – Indian God
A very old piece done by the senior artist of the village of Pingla, Baharjan Chitrakar. She has never been to a school or has never had a formal training in the art. She learnt it from her mother and grandmother as they learnt from their older generations. Done in all natural colours, the Hindu god Ganesha comes alive by the hands of a Muslim female artist. Such is the power of art. It takes one and all way beyond religious, educational or cultural barriers.
Babu Bibi
A depiction of daily life tiff and tussle between Babu and Bibi (man and wife) where in they attacked each other with what they had in their hands - stick and broom. The commoners of the then Kolkata come alive in the art of Bahadur Chitrakar, which he painted at a rather tender age. It’s an old piece of painting.
Shiva
Lord Shiva has always been a much sought after figure of Patachitra, as these paintings, when done on the back of clay saucers instead of papers, are used in the place of clay idols of deities and are worshipped in the household of many common Bengali people. This is also quite an old piece of art done by Bahadur Chitrakar.
Radha Krishna
A scene from the saga of Radha and Krishna, essentially the most famous of Hindu deities, serves as one of the set of paintings that the Pata Shilpis show while singing the mythological story of Rashlila. These sets are shown accompanied by songs narrating stories of Radha - Krishna, to the villagers who cannot read the books but love to know more about them. This piece is done by Rajesh Chitrakar.
Modern Bibi
A lady of the then Kolkata, supposedly from the modern urban society, holds the hookah and the hand fan. Baharjan Chitrakar has created this art in her younger days. She has narrated the change coming in the society of her time. This piece of art, quite an old one, narrates the socio - economic revolution of the then Bengal.
Saraswaati – Indian God
The Patachitra of Bengal has its unique style of using simple lines creating intricate details. The subjects are drawn mostly from Hindu mythology. The all natural colours are made from elements like leaves, soil, flowers and seeds. The choice and use of colours are also very unique and soothing to the eyes and the soul of the viewers. This painting comes from the brush of Rajesh Chitrakar.
Babu Bibi
A couple gets intimate and romantic while spending time together. As a part of a story telling about the regular, day to day life, this piece of art makes for a sweet romantic tale. Such paintings, accompanied by songs, in olden days of no television serials, would serve the purpose of entertainment to the village women. They would listen to the stories sung by the Pata Shilpis and laugh and cry, and become one with the characters. This one is done by a young artist Rajesh Chitrakar.