Simple Minds, Powerful Voices: Tradition and Transformation in the Patachitras of Bengal

Abstract

The tradition of storytelling is perhaps as old as the history of human evolution itself; with or without language, this practice enables the sharing of experiences, generates a range of emotions and responses, and fosters social connectedness. Every culture has its own tradition of not only delivering narrative, but also aiming to utilize that narrative to effectively communicate and persuade its audiences and viewers and make a social impact through storytelling. The Patachitra scroll painting tradition of West Bengal is a unique folk tradition of visual storytelling among rural communities known as patuas who paint and sing their scrolls. Their themes include folklore, epics and mythologies, but also contemporary issues, such as health, nutrition, literacy, child rights and environment and current affairs, to name a few. This paper follows the trajectory of patachitra art from its historical beginnings to the present, addressing artists’ responses to social and cultural shifts, breaking of gender barriers, acting as catalysts of socioeconomic empowerment, and ensuring the sustainability of their trade in the face of global market demands.