Patachitra art expo opens in Delhi

New Delhi: A group exhibition showcasing Bengali Patachitra -- a narrative style of art known for the stories it weaves through painted scrolls -- opened here on Friday, displaying more than 60 artworks. The fourth edition of "Satrangi", an annual show of the Ojas Art Awardees' works, focuses on the Bengali Patachitra or Patua art.

Ojas Art Gallery Curatorial Director Anubhav Nath told IANS that the previous years focused on Gond, Madhubani-Mithila and Bhil art, with the rich Bengali Patachitra art in focus this year. The traditional artform of Warli will be picked up next year.

He cited the reason for picking the Bengali Patachitra as the continual influence of Bengali culture and art on the Indian cultural landscape. Storytelling, documentation and narration has long been done through painted scrolls, the organising Ojas Art Gallery said in a statement, adding that the artworks have strong satirical and social angles to them.

The exhibition will feature paintings from awardees Anwar Chitrakar, Uttam Chitrakar, Swarna Chitrakar, Moyna and Joydeb Chitrakar. The participating artists have exhibited their artworks at Zee Jaipur Literature Festival in 2017.

Anwar is trained in the Kalighat style of art, with traditional myths and stories forming the basis of his work, while Uttam depicts the "Babu Culture", a prime theme of the Kalighat style. The work of Swarna is more ritualistic in theme, and the couple Moyna and Joydeb paint about social issues, deities, and rituals. "Satrangi", an annual exhibition exploring a traditional or tribal art theme annually, is on public view till September 2 at the Ojas Art Gallery.