Restaurant

The scroll painters from West Bengal who opened shops in the Kalighat district and began painting religious subjects in the Kalighat style also became known for their satirical portrayals of Kolkata society — English sahibs riding elephants, wealthy Calcutta babus (liberalists) immorally squandering wealth, and charlatan sadhus (holy men) succumbing to base desires.

Kalam Patua (India b.1962) upholds the Kalighat tradition of observing contemporary society, showing here diners at a local restaurant, with obsequious waiters, bearded intellectuals, a blue-skinned business man, and dreamy young women.

Born into the Patua community of scroll painters and storytellers, Kalam Patua is a self-taught contemporary exponent of Kalighat painting, which draws on conventions from West Bengal scrolls and Indian miniature painting. A postmaster in a rural post office in West Bengal, he is one of the few artists painting in this style today.

Patua’s unique watercolours contain elements of autobiography and myth, and reflect on social issues and current news events. Topics include the changing nature of Indian society; dowry deaths and violence against women and light, humorous works about working in the postal system.

Exhibited in 'The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT8) | 21 Nov 2015 – 10 Apr 2016