Kalighat
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Kalighat paintings are a unique and significant form of Indian art that originated in the 19th century in the vicinity of the Kalighat temple in Kolkata, West Bengal. These paintings are known for their distinctive style, vibrant themes, and cultural significance, marking an important chapter in the history of Indian art.
Kalighat paintings emerged during the early 19th century, a period of intense social, political, and cultural change in India. The area around the Kalighat temple was a bustling pilgrimage site, attracting a diverse crowd of worshippers, traders, and artisans. Local artists, known as patuas, began creating these paintings as souvenirs for the pilgrims visiting the temple.
Goddess Kali
Initially, the paintings were rooted in traditional Bengali folk art, but over time, they evolved in response to the growing influence of urban culture, colonialism, and social issues.
The Patuas used locally available materials, such as paper and water-based pigments, to create these works, which made them accessible and affordable for the common people.
Style of Kalighat Paintings
The style of Kalighat paintings is characterised by its bold, sweeping brush strokes, and a strong emphasis on linearity. The figures in these paintings are typically outlined in thick black lines, with minimal use of shading, giving them a striking, almost graphic quality. The colours used are vibrant and flat, often applied in large areas without much gradation, which adds to the visual impact of the paintings.
Lady and the cat
The style is also notable for its simplicity. The forms are often stylized and exaggerated, with a focus on capturing the essence of the subject rather than detailed realism. The human figures, for example, are depicted with elongated bodies, large expressive eyes, and exaggerated gestures, which convey a sense of movement and emotion.
Themes in Kalighat Paintings
Kalighat paintings cover a wide range of themes, reflecting the social, religious, and political life of the time. Some of the most common themes include:
Many Kalighat paintings depict scenes from Hindu scriptures , particularly focusing on the gods and goddesses like Kali, Durga, Shiva, and Krishna. These paintings were intended to serve as devotional images for the pilgrims visiting the Kalighat temple.
Radha and Krishna
The Patuas also used their art to comment on contemporary social issues. They often depicted scenes of everyday life, highlighting the hypocrisies and moral dilemmas of the time. For example, paintings might portray corrupt officials, the exploitation of women, or the decadence of the rich.
Satirical works were a prominent feature of Kalighat paintings, where artists would humorously critique the British colonial rulers, the rising bourgeoisie, or the changing social mores. These works often contained subtle or overt political messages
Moments before the fatal blow, a scene from the Tarakeshwar affair.
Kalighat painters often used political satire to critique not just the British but also the local elites and zamindars (landlords), portraying them as morally corrupt or greedy. This spoke to larger societal frustrations about inequality and exploitation at multiple levels of governance and society.Some artworks subtly condemned British officials and highlighted the socio-economic hardships faced by Indians under colonial rule.
A British company master in a duet with supposedly a native
As Kolkata was growing rapidly during this period, urban themes became more common. Kalighat paintings began to reflect the life of the city, including the rise of the husband (babu) culture—a class of wealthy, Westernized Indians who were often depicted with a mix of admiration and satire.
Wife (Bibi) hitting the Husband (Babu) with a broom
Legacy
Kalighat paintings gained prominence due to their unique style, accessibility, and the way they captured 19th-century Bengal. Unlike the traditional miniature paintings, which were often the domain of the elite, Kalighat paintings were accessible to the masses. Their bold, easily recognizable style, combined with their ability to address contemporary social issues, made them popular across different sections of society.
Over time, Kalighat paintings influenced modern Indian art, particularly in the way they blended traditional forms with contemporary themes. Artists like Jamini Roy drew inspiration from the simplicity and directness of Kalighat art. Today, Kalighat paintings are recognized as an important cultural heritage of Bengal.
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The style is also notable for its simplicity. The forms are often stylized and exaggerated, with a focus on capturing the essence of the subject rather than detailed realism. The human figures, for example, are depicted with elongated bodies, large expressive eyes, and exaggerated gestures, which convey a sense of movement and emotion.
