Evil Eyes

The location of these Patachitra Shilpi or artists falls in a place, popularly known as Jangal Mahal in West Bengal. The area is home to a number of indigenous tribes like Santhals, Vills, Mundas. The paintings, for obvious reasons, depict the tribal culture. One such example by Nazra Chitrakar, who learnt the art from her older generations and is now passing it on to her successors. This painting shows the courtship of a young tribal couple, surrounded by their friends and playmates. 

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. 

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. 

A narrative of a regular couple’s life where the Bibi (wife) is sulking and the Babu (man) is trying to get her back in good mood by pampering her. Such stories, back in time of no television, would serve as the source of entertainment to village women. This one is done by Bahadur Chitrakar, who in his youth, would sing along and the audience would sit together in one of the courtyards of the village to listen and enjoy.