Babu with the Jal Kanya- Original-Bengal Pattachitra

In the 19^th century, Kolkata (then Calcutta) was the thriving capital of British India. As the city continued to flourish, it gave rise to a new class of locals- the Babus and the Bibis. The Bengali Babus were educated in English, enjoyed a western lifestyle, patronised arts and culture and indulged in personal grooming and fashion. They also made some questionable decisions in their personal and professional lives, but that is a different matter! The wives of the Babus, popularly called the Bibis, took a keen interest in fashion to the extent of incorporating French and English elements in their wardrobe. Although they were not the empowered women we ideally want to see, they received some opportunity to study and explore the outside world, making them more progressive than their female ancestors.

The painting is a display of romance by the Babu  towards the mermaid with the cat by their side. Cats are a common scene in houeholds in Calcutta for the sheer presence of fish being cooked inevitably in all Bengali households. The hukka is the symbol of masculinity which the women of Bengal back then exercised on their meek lovers/husbands.

Bengal Pattachitra paintings are priceless collectibles. The pattachitra painting is an art form that originated in 19th century Bengal, in the vicinity of Kali Temple in Kolkata and is considered to be one of the earliest forms of pop art in India.

Craft: Bengal Pattachitra by the Patuas (State of West Bengal)

Artist- Chandan Chitrakar