Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month.
The exhibit for the month of October 2023 Chandi Mangal Pattachitra – An Ancient Folk Art of West Bengal chitrakar Community from Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal is on display in the indoor exhibition building–Veethi Sankul.
The 'exhibit of the month' was inaugurated by Ms. Sameeta Rajora IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/ Chief Executive Officer Eco Tourism Development Board Many dignitaries were present on the occasion. This object has been composed by Assistant keeper Dr sudeepa Roy.
About the exhibit displayed in the exhibition, Dr sudeepa Roy Assistant Keeper said that the Pattachitra is an ancient folk art of West Bengal. It is a traditional cloth based scroll painting, a story telling performance in the form of Rhythmic songs by showing the hand painted pictures.
The word patta is derived from the Sanskrit word “Patta” means a piece of cloth and “Chitra” means painting. Traditionally the painters are known as Chitrakars or Patuas. The legacy of their art was inherited by successive generations. Patuas do not just paint but they visit village to village and sing self compositions as they unfurl the painted scroll to show the audience.
These songs are known as Patar Gaan. The object is depicting the story of Chandi Mangal from Mangal Kavya written by Mukundaram Chakrabarti, who is best known for writing the epic poem Chandi Mangal, one of the most important sub-genres of medieval Bengali literature. It narrates the story of the merchant Dhanpati, his wives and Son Shrimanta. With the grace of Chandi, Shrimanta saved and rescued his father Dhanapati from the prison and convinced his father to acknowledge goddess Chandi with Lord Shiva and worship her. Types of Pattachitra* According to the shape and size three types of Pattachitras are found. Jadano Patta – Jadano Patta depicts the story serially in a vertical picture frame.
