Naya Village in Pingla Block of Paschim Medinipur district is home to 255 Patachitra painters or 'Patuas', an unique tribe of folk artists who are painters, lyricists, singers and performers-all in one. Artisans known as the Chitrakars (picture makers) specialize in creation of painted narrative scrolls called "Pata". Their diverse repertoire includes mythological stories (based on Ramayana, Mahabharata, Mangal Kavya, fateful stories of Savitri-Satyavan, divine love of Radha-Krishna), tribal folk lore, social messages and narrations on contemporary events.
Patuas paint stories in a series of frames on long scrolls of cloth using natural colors and sing the stories as they unfurl the scrolls. They believe that their own artistry dates back to the time of the ancient civilization when men used to draw on caves. It is an endeavor to showcase this rich oral tradition of a community, skilled in translating their ideas through colorful images and soulful tunes.
Use of natural color is one of the individual characteristics of the Bengal Patachitra. In general, blue, yellow, green, red, brown, black and white are used. Chalk dust is used for white color, pauri and turmeric for yellow color, cultivated indigo for blue, bhushakali for black, petals of Aparajita flower for blue, leaves of Kundri for green and mete and new leaves of Segun tree for red color.
Nowadays they also make a range of diverse products like apparels, stationery items and home decor
using Patachitra motifs. Patachitra has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with UNESCO, has developed the Rural Craft Hub in Pingla.
Use of natural color is one of the individual characteristics of the Bengal Patachitra. In general, blue, yellow, green, red, brown, black and white are used. Chalk dust is used for white color, pauri and turmeric for yellow color, cultivated indigo for blue, bhushakali for black, petals of Aparajita flower for blue, leaves of Kundri for green and mete and new leaves of Segun tree for red color.
Nowadays they also make a range of diverse products like apparels, stationery items and home decor
Government of West Bengal's Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises & Textiles, in association with UNESCO, has developed the Rural Craft Hub in Pingla.
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