Kalighat Painting - The Folk Art from Bengal

Kalighat painting, also known as Kalighat Patachitra, is a traditional art form that originated in the 19th century in the vicinity of the Kalighat Temple, in Kolkata, West Bengal. These paintings depict the everyday life and social norms of the people living in the area. Kalighat patachitra has an incredible charm to them, as they capture the essence of the Bengal region and its people.

History & Origin of  Kalighat Painting

 

The origin of Kalighat painting can be traced back to the early 19th century around the 1830s to 1850s. It is believed that the artists who created these paintings were pilgrims who came to the Kalighat temple to worship Goddess Kali. These artists were inspired by Kalighat art - paintings that adorned the walls of the temple and began creating their own paintings to sell to the temple visitors marking the beginning of the famous Bengali folk art.
Initially, the paintings were simple and used bright colours, depicting gods and goddesses from Hindu mythology. However, with the rise of the British Empire in India, the subject matter of these paintings shifted towards social commentary and criticism. Kalighat patachitra gradually began to reflect modern life, with a concentration on Kolkata's middle-class and working-class residents.
The artists make use of watercolours and brush strokes to create their artworks, making them easier to produce affordable paintings. Consequently, this traditional Bengali folk art gained popularity, becoming a medium of mass communication.

Kalighat Patachitra Style and Themes

Kalighat paintings are characterised by strong lines, bright colours, and stylized elongated eyes. They are also renowned for their satirical take on society.
The paintings of Kalighat patachitra offer a glimpse of the lives of 19th-century Bengalis in Kolkata. These paintings often highlight the social norms that were common at the time. The themes of the paintings centre on the everyday lives of the people living in Kolkata and depict middle-class and lower-class people, as well as their joys, sorrows, and struggles.
Women's representation is one of the most common themes in Kalighat paintings. The paintings depict women from many walks of life, their struggles, and the burdens society places on them. This folk art from Bengal was a reflection of how women's roles in society were evolving and the difficulties they faced.
Another popular theme in Kalighat painting is the portrayal of Gods and Goddesses from Hindu mythology. These paintings depict the deities in a unique way, often showcasing their human qualities and weaknesses. These paintings also talk about social practices and customs. 

Materials used in  Kalighat Painting

 

Traditionally this Bengali folk art used organic vegetable dyes for the paintings. For example, yellow was produced from turmeric, blue was made from the petals of the Aparajita flower, red colour was obtained from beetroot and black was produced from common soot by burning an oil lamp under a pot. Traditional artists also use silver and golden colours for ornamentation.
Sometimes dry colours would be mixed with either gum or water to create paint and used on paper or textiles to make the famous Kalighat painting.
Squirrel fur and goat hair was used to make the paintbrush which was used for these paintings.

Some of the Famous artists of  Kalighat Paintings include

 

1. Bhawanipur Sitaldas - He is considered one of the pioneers of Kalighat painting. He was known for his portraits of women and scenes from everyday life.
2. Gobardhan Bhattacharya - He was known for his depictions of the gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, as well as scenes from mythology.
3. Harinarayan Chattopadhyay - Famous for his satirical and humorous paintings his art poked fun on social and political issues during his time.
4. Jamini Roy - He was one of the most famous Kalighat Painting artists who combined the traditional style with modern elements in his art. He was known for his depictions of rural life, mythology and the common people.
5. Kali Prasad Ghosh - He was known for his intricate and detailed paintings depicting stories from Hindu mythology.
6. Nandalal Bose - Another prominent Kalighat painting artist, Nandalal Bose was also famous in other forms of art. He combined the Kalighat style with elements of Western art to create a distinctive and appealing style.
7. Sanatan Dinda - A contemporary artist, Dinda continued the tradition of Kalighat painting depicting scenes from Bengal’s rural life and the natural world.
8. Kalam Patua - Starting his career as a postman, this famous Kalighat Painting artist displayed his paintings at Queensland Art Gallery, Australia.
9. Anwar Chitrakar - Another famous Kalighat painter, Anwar Chitrakar had his works on exhibit at the Albert and Victoria Museum in London and the Mumbai International Airport.

 

Kalighat Paintings Today

Today's art aficionados and collectors place a high value on Kalighat paintings. A few painters who continue to produce these works have preserved the classic style of these paintings. The painters preserve the art form by using organic hues and conventional techniques to make their paintings.
New themes and artistic forms have emerged as a result of the resurgence of Kalighat paintings. Contemporary themes and issues have been explored by the artists, who are now producing works that are timely. Now you can even buy Kalighat Paintings online as they make very good home décor pieces.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Kalighat paintings in the international art world. These paintings have been showcased in various exhibitions and galleries, giving them the recognition they deserve.

 

Conclusion

 

Kalighat paintings are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of East India. They provide a glimpse into the lives of the people living in Kolkata during the 19th century and showcase the social norms and practices prevalent at the time. The Kalighat patachitra are highly sought after by art collectors and enthusiasts, and their popularity has only grown with time.

 FAQ

• What is special about Kalighat paintings?

Kalighat Paintings are characterized by bold outlines, bright colours, enlarged eyes and depiction of gods and goddesses as humans in worldly settings. 

• Who are the famous Kalighat painting artists?

Some of the famous Kalighat Painting artists are Jamini Roy, Nandalal Bose, Bhawanipur Sitaldas, Gobardhan Bhattacharya, Sanatan Dinda, Kali Prasad Ghosh, and Harinarayan Chattopadhyay.

• What was the theme of Kalighat painters?

Kalighat paintings and Kalighat Patachitra depict various themes like gods and goddesses and the culture in Bengal. Some of the paintings are about Hindu deities like Ma Durga, Kali or Lord Shiva and other mythological characters.

• How are women portrayed in these paintings?

In most art forms women are depicted as gentle and docile, but in Kalighat Paintings women are portrayed as strong characters, mostly because this Bengali folk art originated from the Kalighat Temple - a very famous and old temple of Goddess Kali, who is very powerful and strong in Hindu religion. 

•  What kind of animals can be seen in Kalighat paintings?

The most common animal that is seen in these Kalighat Paintings is a fish because of the importance of fish in Bengali culture and food. Other animals that are found in the Kalighat Patachitra are domestic animals such as cats, and birds, or wild animals such as tigers and lions. 

 

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