Old Chitrakathi Art
Read more about the older Chitrakathi paintings used for storytelling session in Pinguli
Dastkari Haat Samiti
Dastkari Haat Samiti
History of Chitrakathi art
Chitrakathi paintings are part of an oral storytelling tradition, once popular in the Maharashtra-Karnataka region. 'Chitra' means painting and 'katha' is a story in any form. The tradition of combining oral narratives for telling tales, of which images are shown simultaneously with hand-painted pictures, is common to many parts of India in the form of lengthy scrolls or large painted panels. Chitrakathi developed in the form of small finely painted images about historic or religious events.
Chitrakathi Painting: The puppet show (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Chitrakathi now exists in Maharashtra only because of the devotion and faith of its practitioners in their own heritage.
They largely depict stories from the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Chitrakathi Paintings: Old paintings (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The size of the paper was standardised, based on the usual size of what was suitable for the village audiences.
Chitrakathi Paintings: Old paintings (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
More than 50 paintings together form a bundle or pothi, which is used by the artist to narrate the story.
Chitrakathi Painting: Old paintings (2017) by Gangawane FamilyDastkari Haat Samiti
In style, the bold brush work of Chitrakathi resembles the art of the leather shadow puppets of Telangana.
Chitrakathi Painting: Old paintings (2017) by Gangawane FamilyDastkari Haat Samiti
Religious mythology and stories from the epics were depicted.
Chitrakathi Painting: Old techniques (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
The artists first set the songs for the narrative and then made the paintings to support the performance.
Chitrakathi Painting: Old paintings (2017) by Gangawane FamilyDastkari Haat Samiti
The efforts taken by Parshuram Gangawane and his family to preserve their artistic heritage is commendable.
Chitrakathi Painting: New paintings (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
They converted their old cowshed into a museum which also serves as a little shop to sell Chitrakathi paintings and other merchandise.
Chitrakathi Painting: Habitat and Community (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Apart from the paintings, there is also a special place for the puppets inside the Chitrakathi museum.
Chitrakathi Painting (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Here, Eknath Gangawane, his elder son who is also a government employee, explains the old Chitrakathi paintings inside the family museum.
Chitrakathi Painting: Old paintings on the wall (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Gawdewada, in Sindhudurg district is famous for its Chitrakathi painting done on the wall, six feet above the ground.
Chitrakathi Painting: Old paintings on the wall (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Inside the Wada, which refers to a locality, next to the central courtyard, there is a small temple which is considered to be place where old-time Chitrakathi performers narrated the stories.
Chitrakathi Painting: For storytelling and puppetry (2017)Dastkari Haat Samiti
Read more about Chitrakathi Art here:
- Chitrakathi Art in Pinguli
- Contemporary Works
Text: Jaya Jaitly
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri
Artisans: Parshuram Gangawane and family
Ground Facilitator: Ankit Kumar, Vishpala Hundekari
Documentary Video: Ankit Kumar
Curation: Aradhana Nagpal
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