In the heart of South Calcutta, a gallery in Southern Avenue becomes the stage for an extraordinary exhibition—a celebration of heritage, resilience, and the revival of a lost art form. Over 50 vibrant paintings inspired by the patachitra, or cloth-based scroll painting, of the Sunderbans adorn the walls, each stroke narrating tales steeped in myth, folklore, and the rich tapestry of local life.
Patachitra, a revered folk art form of Bengal, has deep roots in the region’s cultural ethos. Historically, patuas would traverse villages with their scrolls, captivating audiences with narratives that ranged from ancient mythologies to contemporary social sagas. While the patachitras of Kalighat and Midnapore have garnered renown, the Sunderbans, with its dense mangrove forests and elusive tigers, once boasted its own vibrant tradition of scroll painting.
The current exhibition, supported by the forest department, serves as a testament to the resilience of this ancient art form. It showcases the efforts of a group of women from villages near Jharkhali, nestled in the shadows of the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, who have taken it upon themselves to breathe new life into this fading tradition. Trained under the guidance of a seasoned artist through intensive workshops conducted in 2022 and 2023, these women have emerged as torchbearers of their cultural heritage.
For them, the art is more than just brushstrokes on canvas—it is a reflection of their lived experiences, intimately intertwined with the rhythms of the forest and the ebb and flow of life along the creeks. Tales of Bon Bibi, the guardian of humans and forests, and the enigmatic tiger come to life in vibrant hues, each painting a testament to the symbiotic relationship between nature and culture.
The exhibition, which opened its doors on Tuesday, has already garnered significant attention, with several paintings finding eager buyers within the first few days. For many, like Ayanangshu Samaddar, the allure lies not only in the art itself but also in the opportunity to support a noble cause and empower local communities.
Among the women artists is Debika Burman, a resilient mother of two who, until recently, relied on the perilous venture of crab hunting in the creeks to make ends meet. Today, she stands proudly beside her creations, testament to the transformative power of art in changing lives and livelihoods.
Milan Kumar Mandal, the divisional forest officer of South 24-Parganas forest division, envisions the campaign as more than just an artistic endeavor—it is a catalyst for economic empowerment and environmental conservation. With the potential to provide an alternative source of income for forest-dependent communities, the initiative holds promise for both the people and the ecosystem they inhabit.
As the exhibition draws attention from dignitaries and art enthusiasts alike, including the British deputy high commissioner to Calcutta, Andrew Fleming, its organizers, led by Sourav Mukherjee of the Kolkata Society for Cultural Heritage, remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving and promoting Bengal’s rich cultural heritage. With clients spanning continents and aspirations to expand their reach, they are determined to ensure that the legacy of patachitra endures, not just in the Sunderbans but across the globe.
In a world that often overlooks the past in pursuit of progress, the revival of patachitra paintings stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of tradition, community, and art to transcend time and space, weaving together the threads of the past, present, and future in a colorful tapestry of cultural continuity.
