Biodiversity in Patachitra (2021) by ChitrataruBanglanatak
Celebrating our unique biodiversity through folk art
Folk culture manifests communities' integral relationship with nature through their traditions of folk paintings, folk legends, dances, craft, and theatre. Wildlife, since ancient times, has inspired folk artists to portray the gorgeous animal kingdom in their own creative ways, using different materials, formats and narratives.
Patachitra of Bonbibi (2018) by Robbani ChitrakarBanglanatak
Folk legend of Bon Bibi and the Royal Bengal Tiger
Seen here is a Bengal Patachitra painting of one of the most fascinating forest legends, Bon Bibi - the goddess of Sundarbans and the sovereign authority of life in it. She controls the most ferocious and iconic animal - the royal Bengal tiger, and protects the forest fringe dwellers from dangers of the forest.
Banbibi performance in Sundarban Folk Festival (2016)Banglanatak
Bon Bibi's theatre show
Bon Bibi, the goddess of Sundarbans, is celebrated locally through Bonbibir Pala or Bon Bibi's play. It is a folk theatre narrating the story of Bon Bibi's supremacy over all other inhabitants of the forest, especially the ravening tiger, seen here.
Banbibi performance (2018) by banglanatak dot comBanglanatak
Seen here is a snippet of Bon Bibi's folk theatre, performed by the local villagers living in Sundarban regions. The play shows how Bon Bibi - the forest goddess attains sovereignty over the ferocious inhabitant of the Sundarbans - the tiger, and establishes an universal order for peaceful coexistence of wildlife and the villagers.
Wooden Mask of Tiger (2021) by Mahishbathan Gramin Hasta Silpa Samabay Samity LtdBanglanatak
Tiger in wooden mask
The tiger is the pride of Bengal and holds a very special place in the hearts of the artists. They craft, paint, and mould the magnificent being through their art forms. This is a wooden tiger mask made by the wooden mask-makers of Kushmandi in Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal.
Tiger motifs of Patachitra (2015) by Mantu ChitrakarBanglanatak
Tiger in Patachitra
The royal Bengal tiger has found its way into folk paintings such as Patachitra.
Seen here is a Bengal tiger painted by Patachitra artist Mantu Chitrakar from Naya village, Medinipur.
Animals in Tribal Patachitra (2020) by Anil ChitrakarBanglanatak
Animals in Santhal Patachitra
The tribal Patachitra of the Santhals (one of the largest ethnic groups native to eastern India) depict animals in their own unique ways of painting that have a more rustic appeal in their forms and colours.
Seen here is a frame from a Santhal scroll painting of Majramura village depicting their folklore of the birth of the first Santhal.
Chau Dance Drama (2019) by Aparna MahatoBanglanatak
Lion in Chau Dance
The lion is another iconic animal common in our folk forms, which features in the national emblem of India too.
This image is from a Chau dance drama from Purulia narrating how Goddess Durga and her vahana - the lion - defeats the asura or the demon. The lion seen here is enacted by a Chau dancer in costume. It symbolizes power.
Traditional Chau Mask of Lion (2019) by Joydeb SutradharBanglanatak
Lion in Chau mask
This lion Chau mask is made by the mask makers of Charida, Purulia in Bengal. It is made with clay and papier-mâché, and then painted and decorated. Such masks are an integral component of the tribal Chau dance, an acrobatic mask dance featuring humans, gods, and animals.
Peacock in Chau (2019)Banglanatak
Peacock in Chau dance
Peacock, the national bird of India, features here in a Chau dance drama from Purulia. The bird is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Kartik.
The peacock seen here is enacted by a Chau dancer in costume.
Peacock in Dokra (2021) by Bankura Bikna Hastajata Dokra Kutir Shilpa Kalyan SamityBanglanatak
Peacock in Dokra
This is a peacock crafted in Dokra - an age-old metal craft form of our country. Dokra artists in Bengal reside in Bikna, Bankura and in Dariyapur, Bardhaman.
A Peacock Boat made in Shola (2021) by Samir SahaBanglanatak
Peacock boat in Shola
A peacock boat is special to Bengal's culture. Also known as Mayurpankhi in Bengali, it is mentioned widely in Bengali literature. In olden days, peacock boats were carved by boat makers for rich aristocrats.
Seen here is a peacock boat carved out of Shola, a supple white material processed from an aquatic plant found only in Bengal.
Patachitra of Lakshmi (2018) by Uttam ChitrakarBanglanatak
Owl in Patachitra
This patachitra depicts the owl as the vahana (vehicle) of goddess Lakshmi, worshipped across India in different cultures as the goddess of wealth and beauty.
Read more about Bengal patachitra here.
Artist and art (2013)Banglanatak
Wooden owls
The owl is considered auspicious because of its association with Goddess Lakshmi, and thus holds a special significance in social and ritualistic practices. These wooden owls are made by craftspersons of Natungram in Bardhaman who traditionally specialize in making wooden dolls.
Wooden Dolls of Natungram (2019) by Artist from NatungramBanglanatak
Wooden owls
These owls are carved out of a single piece of wood and then painted. They are popular home decor items in addition to being important for Hindu rituals. Read about the significance of wooden owls and other crafts of Bengal in a Diwali festival story.
Doka Owl (2018) by Artist from BiknaBanglanatak
Owl in Dokra
This image shows a Dokra owl figurine. Dokra, the traditional metal craft, involves an age-old process of metal casting using the lost-wax casting technique. This Dokra owl is made by an artist from Bikna Dokra hub, West Bengal.
Dokra Elephant (2020)Banglanatak
Elephants in Dokra
The elephant embodies the glorious royal legacy of the country. Bengal's zamindars and kings owned horses and elephants, which were used not only as modes of transport, but also as symbols of power and dignity.
The elephants were adorned with gorgeous fabric and ornaments that added to their majestic beauty. The artists replicated such embellishments through intricacies of their art and crafts.
Seen here is a Dokra elephant, popular as home decor.
An Elephant with Howdah in Shola (2021) by Samir SahaBanglanatak
Elephant in Shola
Animals are common subjects of Shola craft of Bengal. The richly carved elephant seen here is inspired by detailed ivory carvings of the past, which the erstwhile ivory carvers of Murshidabad district used to sculpt. When the use of ivory stopped, Shola artisans adopted this style and design to replicate intricately designed figurines.
The royal association of the elephant is justly represented in Shola, which is a locally grown aquatic plant processed into supple white sheets. The artists of Bengal carve this soft white material with simple tools.
Elephant wall hanging (2018)Banglanatak
Elephant mask of Sabai grass
Seen here is an elephant head made out of sabai, a locally grown grass in West Bengal. Sabai artists use simple tools to make such animal forms from their imagination and creativity.
Wall art on house (2019)Banglanatak
Elephants in Patachitra village fresco
Seen here is a Patachitra wall painting from Naya village of Pingla in West Midnapore, Bengal. The Patachitra folk painting form traditionally depicts mythological and folk stories. The artists also create their own stories drawing inspiration from nature.
Elephant in Terracotta (2018) by Artist from BankuraBanglanatak
Elephant in Terracotta
One of the most well known crafts of West Bengal is terracotta or fired clay sculpting found in Panchmura in Bankura district. Terracotta elephants are made both for ritualistic and decorative purposes. The particular shape of the elephant seen here is distinctive for use as offerings in village rituals.
Dokra Horse (2014)Banglanatak
Horse in Dokra
There are fine examples of craftsmanship of the horse in various materials. Seen here is a Dokra horse made in Bikna, Bankura in Bengal.
The Terracotta Horse Statues (2021) by Panchmura Mritshilpi Samabay Samity LlimitedBanglanatak
Horses in Terracotta
These stylized terracotta horses are unique to the Panchmura area of Bengal. A traditional Bengal terracotta horse figurine has a long neck and elongated ears. They are crafted primarily for use as tokens of devotion to appease local deities, and for the fulfillment of a wish.
A Village Ritual (2018) by Artist from BankuraBanglanatak
Ritual animals of rural Bengal
Seen here is a village ritual where terracotta horses and elephants of different sizes are being offered to the serpent goddess, Manasa.
Dokra Deer (2013)Banglanatak
Other animal figurines in Bengal crafts
The artistic reflection of the beauty of the animal world demonstrates the skills of the craftspeople in many ways. Imagination and crafting techniques have combined to produce figurines of different animals through generations.
Seen here is a deer crafted in Dokra metal.
An Ox crafted in Dokra (2021) by Bankura Bikna Hastajata Dokra Kutir Shilpa Kalyan SamityBanglanatak
A bull in Dokra is seen here. The bull is both a domestic and a wild animal, found in every part of the country. Bulls have been depicted in world art and ritualistic elements from ancient times, symbolizing strength, courage, fertility, etc.
In Hinduism, Shiva's steed is Nandi, the Bull, which is associated with many other gods in India. Thus, it has been a popular inspiration to folk artists.
Animals in HandicraftBanglanatak
Folk art, from time immemorial, has taught human beings to care for, and conserve nature in their daily lives. Diverse folk practices, rituals, stories and art continue to emanate the profound relationship of man with nature, and shows his ability to mould natural materials with his bare hands to depict our biodiversity.
