Artist : Bhaskar Chitrakar
Title : Green Kali Kahlo
Medium : Powder pigments on paper
Size : 11" x 15"
Year : 2021
"Kalighat patas” are a class of paintings on paper produced by ‘patuas’ in the neighbourhood of the famous Kali Temple in Calcutta in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Popular themes included Hindu deities, satirical portrayals of Englishmen and 'babus', historical events and incidents of daily life.
In recent times, one artist belonging to a family of patuas, young Bhaskar Chitrakar of Kalighat, is reviving this style. This painting, done in powder pigments on hand-made paper, is a tribute to the iconic Mexican artist Kali-Kahlo, who was a supporter of indigenous culture, marginalised groups, women and creatures of nature. Bhaskar projects her as a Goddess of the environment, and a strong woman of Bengal.