Kalighat painting, also known as Kalighat Patachitra, is a traditional art form that originated in the 19th century in the vicinity of the Kalighat Temple, in Kolkata, West Bengal. The social norms and everday life of the locals are portrayed in these paintings. They encapsulate the spirit of the Bengal region and its inhabitants, giving Kalighat patachitra a very captivating charm.
The origin of Kalighat painting can be traced back to the early 19th century around the 1830s to 1850s. It is thought that the visitors who painted these scenes at the Kalighat temple were devotees of Goddess Kali. Inspired by the paintings on the walls of the temple, known as Kalighat art, these artists started making their own paintings to sell to the patrons of the temple, thereby initiating the renowned Bengali folk art.
One of the most well-known Kalighat Painting artists, Jamini Roy, blended modern and traditional aspects into his works. He was well-known for his portrayals of rural life, mythology and the common people.
At first, the paintings featured Hindu mythological gods and goddesses in plain, vibrant colors. But as the British Empire grew in India, the themes of these paintings changed to include societal critique and commentary. Kalighat patachitra eventually started to depict contemporary life, focusing on the middle-class and working-class citizens of Kolkata.
The employment of watercolors and brushstrokes by the artists facilitated the production of paintings at a lower cost. As a result, this folk art from Bengal grew in popularity and was used as a means of public communication.
Bold colors, powerful lines, and exaggerated, elongated eyes are characteristics of Kalighat paintings. Their humorous observations on society are equally well-known. A glimpse of 19th-century Bengali life in Kolkata can be seen in the paintings of Kalighat Patachitra. The social norms prevalent at the period are frequently emphasized in these artworks. In addition to showing middle-class and lower-class individuals, the paintings' subjects also focus on the hardships, joys, and everyday lives of those who lived in Kolkata. One of the most prevalent subjects in Kalighat paintings is the portrayal of women. The paintings show women from a variety of backgrounds, their hardships, and the expectations society has of them. This folk art from Bengal reflected the challenges women faced and the changing roles that women were playing in society. The representation of Hindu mythological Gods and Goddesses is another common motif in Kalighat paintings. These paintings present the gods in a distinctive light, frequently emphasizing their flaws and humanity. These artworks also discuss social norms and traditions.
The paintings in this folk art from Bengal were traditionally colored using organic vegetable dyes. For instance, turmeric was used to make yellow, Aparajita flower petals were used to make blue, beetroot was used to make red, and common soot was used to make black when an oil lamp was burned beneath a pot. Golden and silver hues are also used by traditional artists as embellishments.
In order to create paint, dry colors would occasionally be combined with gum or water and applied to paper or fabrics to create the renowned Kalighat paintings.
The paintbrush used for these paintings was made from goat hair and squirrel fur.
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