- Unlimited access to 12 hours recordings of already concluded LIVE workshop
- PDFs of pictures and materials shared during the workshop
- Online support for feedback and queries to help you complete the artwork
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About the artform:
Patachitra is a unique folk tradition of visual storytelling accompanied by songs performed by the Patuas. Stories are painted on long scrolls by the painters known as chitrakars (family surname) who gradually unfurl them while narrating. Patachitra paintings of Bengal have drawn the attention and interest of artists, art connoisseurs, and researchers. It has been nationally and internationally acclaimed as a very interesting style of painting. To some, Patachitra is the precursor of modern day animation.
The word Pata comes from the Sanskrit word Patta that means a piece of cloth and Chitra means painting. The songs are known as Pater Gaan, which is passed down to next generations. Traditionally, the Patuas would travel from village to village singing and displaying the scrolls to earn a living.
Patachitra art form of Bengal is known for its bold colours, lines, and strokes.
The unfolding or playing of the Pata is called ‘Pat Khelano’, and the song through which the divinely painted narratives are sung is called ‘Pater Gaan.’ This flows in 3 stages – the kahani (story), the mahatmya (glory), and bhavita (introduction).
About the workshop:
We create a scroll of size around 22" x 90"
This particular scroll depicts the Hindu snake goddess Manasa – an important local deity in Bengal. A Snake-Goddess aka Vishadari, the cult of Manasa is widespread in Bengal and the neighbouring regions, especially in the rural settings. Often worshipped to cure diseases and beget a child, Manasa Devi, a folk deity, is one of the popular themes portrayed on a Pata.
Portrayed having a third eye, bearing multiple hands, majestically sitting on a snake throne and wearing gorgeous jewellery, her stories are usually picked from the medieval text – Manasa Mangal Kavya. This scroll shows the image of Manasa, repeating across the scroll, and in the background, a tiny figure of Shiva accompanying her. In mythology, Shiva is associated with Manasa either as her husband or her father.
About the artist:
Sonali Chitrakar is a state awardee artist from West Medinipur in West Bengal who has learnt the art since the tender age of 6 from her mother, acclaimed artist Swarna Chitrakar. She is a fabulous painter as well as a wonderful singer.
Materials required:
A1 size sheets 3-4
Watercolor/Poster colors
Round brushes medium to fine
Basic stationery