GS Bangle

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 one depicts the daily life and chores of the tribal people where the men are sleeping while the women are fetching water. 

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.