Research project

(Cont).Interviewed Patachitra artist – Anwar At Dastkaar Fair, New Delhi

Illustration style

Since the Patuas are not trained artists from any art school they believe what one make is fine. They are always very self satisfied with their work. No Patua can point out any mistake in other’s work as there is nothing as right or wrong in terms of proportions, movements, action etc. Thus, there are no rules and no limitations!

Patuas believe that any drawing that they draw is worth only if it is able to tell the sto

Patuas are very passionate artists as they always want to put what they see around in their paintings. Thus, the paintings come out to be a reflection of one’s own environment blend with the Patua’s imagination and their thoughts.

All Patuas have the freedom to interpret the things as they want to

Interesting points to look for:

- Black outline and big eyes are the two most important significant characteristics of Bengal Patachitra.

- Use of symbols depends completely from Patua to Patua. There is no fixed list of symbols used in these paintings. It varies from what the particular story demands.

- There is no rule in anatomy for the Patuas. They do try to put their best efforts to make it look as close to the real but then there are no rules.

- There is not much experimentation with the angles. The characters are generally drawn in front or side view

- If any character needs to be shown dead, then it is drawn lying horizontally in front angle

- Patuas have the liberty to use their own imagination and exaggerate as they want to express the story effectively

- Borders are also an important aspect of Patachitra. Borders are not just the outer margin area around the scroll but it is also used to make division between various panels.

- There is very less play with hand movements. No actual gripping of objects will be found. Even in the folded fingers one can see five fingers in a row. There are no rules!

- The waist(kamar) of the female is generally made a bit wide(choda) as compared to how we generally draw a female body

- There is generally flat use of colors. Also there is no play of shadows in Patachitra except in Kalighat style

- Major differentiation can be made among various characters through their different skin tones, moustache and beard styles, clothes and body movements

- In order to make the tribal people look like living in jungle their faces are drawn having a strong resemblance with animal faces

- Generally characters are made without eyelashes, nails and with their mouth closed. Anything opposite then this is only drawn when the figure is shown in exaggerated proportions

- Mostly the female characters are draped in sari with no blouses and the designs of the sari is done with black lines

- The hand gestures, body movements and the important elements are generally rhythmic in nature

- Eyeball is the last thing which is done in the painting as it is believed that once the eyeball is done, the painting comes to life