Satrangi: An Exhibition of Patachitra Art from Bengal
by OJAS ART Awardees 2018
Media Contact: Richa Gupta +91.9873798874 | Vipul Sharma+91.9953049532
Participating Artists : Anwar Chitrakar, Arun Patua, Swarna Chitrakar and Uttam Chitrakar.
Bengal Patachitra Art is a narrative style of art and is known for its story telling ability. Painted scrolls were used to document and narrate stories. Also, the genre is famous for bringing attention to social causes, and for its wit, humour and satire.
The vibrant and expressive folk art by the patua community from West Bengal is a truly colourful one, which is being sustained in times of change.
The patua scroll painting from eastern India, sometimes also called patachitra scroll painting, is a delightful traditional art which takes on a performative nature. Combining art and narrative through song, patachitra from West Bengal has its unique features, though similar traditions can be found in a few other places concentrated around the state, in states such as Bihar and Odisha. Approximated to be dating back to 13th century, this art form has reflected topics far and wide, from myths to current social issues. In times of change, with various initiatives, the practitioners of this pictorial narrative art have also diversified themselves to sustain.
In a village in West Midnapore district in West Bengal, around 250 patuas or painters can be found keeping this tradition alive. More than just painters, patuas are also lyricists, singers, performers and true artists.
The participating artists are experts of their field having participated in the fourth edition of the prestigious Ojas Art Award and exhibited their art works at Zee Jaipur Literature Festival 2017. The award co-organised between Teamwork Arts, producer of the Jaipur Literature Festival, and Delhi-based art organization OJAS Art. In 2018 the award focused on excellence in Bengal Pattachitra Art.
Satrangi is an annual exhibition and explores one genre of traditional/ tribal arts annually. Previously there have been survey shows in the genres of Gond, Madhubani-Mithila and Bheel.
