West Bengal is the crown jewel of Eastern India and the state prides itself on its rich cultural and traditional heritage.
One of the greatest examples of Bengali folk art is Patua painting which is also known as Patachitra.This Bengali traditional art has been practised and propagated by a group of talented artisans and storytellers known as Patuas or Chitrakars. They have been associated with Patua art for centuries.
The Bengal Patua painting is done on a piece of cloth which is known as pati. The cloth is reinforced by adding some fabric to the back of the painting. That fabric could be old pieces of saris or any other fabric. Patua paintings were a creative way to emote stories, narratives and other tales attributed to nature, mythology and other themes.
History of Patua Art
If one were to delve into the history of Patua art, the genesis isn’t very clear but there are studies that claim that this art form originated in the 13th century BC. (1) The Patua artists used this art form to narrate stories about gods and goddesses. They took their paintings from village to village and people used to find great amusement in this particular art form.
In antiquity, the Bengali folk art of Patua painting was used for depicting mythological stories but now all sorts of issues like news, current affairs, history and various other subjects have augmented the traditional themes. The Chitrakars usually used brushes made of bamboo and goat hair.
The Patua Artists
The genesis of the community of Patua artists is mired in ambiguity. Some people believe that this community was formed when a group of people had a falling out with the Brahmin priests of the region. (2)
The Patua artists are known for their captivating art of visual storytelling that can narrate any theme in an aesthetic and spell-binding manner. The Patua community isn’t just concentrated in West Bengal. They are settled in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and in some parts of Bangladesh as well. The Chitrakars belong to different ethnicities like Hindu and Muslims.
The most endearing thing about Patua artists is that they act as a bridge between the traditional heritage and the contemporary world where they use their excellent art of visual storytelling to engage and educate the audience.
Distinguishing Features Of The Patua Art
If you are an Indian folk art aficionado, you must have heard about the gorgeous Bengali folk art known as the Patua art. The following features can be attributed to Patua paintings:
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They Are Narrative In Nature
Patua paintings are done on cloth and then folded like a scroll. As the scroll unfolds, a gripping story about the theme of the painting is revealed through pictorial representations.
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It Has Bold Outlines
The designs and images on the Patua painting have a bold outline that add a sense of depth and nuance to the Patua painting. The bold designs used in Patua art add a lot of structure and elevate the appeal of this art form.
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Natural Dyes
The Patua art uses a rich and natural palette of colours that are derived from plants, flowers and other organic sources. The Patuas use a vibrant colour palette that makes the designs very eye-catching.
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Figurative Representation
Patuas use figurative reforestations to depict their stories and give shape to their narrative. The Patua paintings have an elaborate and intricate design pattern that gives a lot of structure and aesthetic appeal to these paintings.
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They Are A Part Of Oral Representative Performances
Patuas are great storytellers and they often use Patua paintings as a part of their performances which includes singing, dancing and other forms of emoting.
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It Is Beautiful Way To Preserve Culture
Patua art preserves the stories and folklore pertaining to our culture. Through their art, they pass down the narration of events that hold historical and traditional relevance to subsequent generations.
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Conclusion
The Bengali folk art of Patua paintings is an alluring folk art that combines pictorial representation with verbal performances. This art form perfectly captures the rich and spirited spells of West Bengal’s culture. If you want to incorporate the beauty of Patua paintings into your home decor, you can check out iTokri and explore their expansive range of products pivoting around Patua art.
FAQs on Patua Art of Bengal
- In which state Patua painting is famous?
Patua Painting is very famous in West Bengal. In fact, the genesis of the Patua art also stems from this state.
- What is Patua art?
Patua art can be described as scroll paintings that have been used by Chitrakars to visually depict captivating narratives related to our mythology and other themes.
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