| Description |
Patachitra of Bengal is a storytelling tradition of eastern India practiced by a community known as Patuas. They paint the stories in long scrolls and sing them. The Patuas used to visit rural households and sing songs from mythology, epics, and folklore. This article narrates how the Patuas community living in Naya Village of the Paschim Medinipur District of West Bengal revived their storytelling tradition. There are around five hundred Patuas spread across the districts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur.
Two decades ago, fewer than a score of the tradition bearers in Naya continued the practice. With the proliferation of electronic media, storytellers have lost their audience. To revive their tradition, Contact Base worked with the Patuas to document orally transmitted songs and the forgotten processes of making natural colors. Under the leadership of the veteran storytellers in the village, the Patuas started to paint and sing traditional songs as well as new ones on contemporary issues and happenings. The practitioners started painting their stories on a diverse range of decorative and utility products. Their work was widely appreciated. The Patuas started traveling across India and the globe. The recognition created interest among the youth to pursue the tradition. Currently, all Patua families in Naya are pursuing patachitra as a sustainable livelihood. The painters are regularly commissioned for wall art installations in airports, museums, and prestigious buildings. The village has a community museum. More than a decade back, a village festival was started to create awareness in the community of storytellers. |
