The contemporary scrolls and paintings of Montu Chitrakar come from the distinct patachitra scroll tradition in the state of West Bengal. The patachitra scrolls may portray stories from the great Hindu epics, such as the Ramayana, and Sufi traditions which are also sung frame by frame. The scrolls by the young painter Montu Chitrakar venture even further into current affairs, history and other subjects outside of the traditional canon. His subjects include not only the Ramayana but the recent Gujerat earthquake and bloodly Hindu/Muslim religious riots, and incongruously even the story of the French Revolution. These scrolls are also painted with vegetable dyes fixed with a vegetable gum on paper. The panels are sewn together and fabric from old saris is glued to the back to strengthen the scroll. Individual paintings by Montu Chitrakar may resemble single panels from these same scroll stories, or independent images of wild animals and scenes from his imagination.
Bengali artist Montu Chitrakar
(photo courtesy of Minhazz Majumdar).
Tiger and Antelopes
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
2004
Water-based paint on paper
(10" h. x 13 1/4" w. )
Worshipping the Shiva Linga
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(11" h. x 15" w.)
The Snake Goddess Manasa
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(15" h. x 11" w.)
Two Women
A. Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w.)
Shiva and Consort
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w.)
Goddess
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w.)
Kalighat Cat
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
2004
Water-based paint on paper
(10 3/4" h. x 13 1/2" w.)
Two Tigers
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(11" h. x 14" w.)
Shiva and Consort
Unknown artist - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w.)
Montu Chitrakar
West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w. )
Scene from Ramayana
Attributed to Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(6 3/4" h. x 5" w.)
The Snake Goddess Manasa
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(7" h. x 5 1/2" w. )
Deer Hunters
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(7" h. x 5 1/2" w. )
Kalighat Cat with Fish
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w. )
Big Fish
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(11" h. x 14" w.)
Two Tigers with Antelopes
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
2004
Water-based paint on paper
(11" h. x 14" w.)
Three Tigers
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
Late 20th cent.
Water-based paint on paper
(14" h. x 11" w.)
Tiger with Antelopes
Montu Chitrakar - West Bengal, India
2004
Water-based paint on paper
(15" h. x 11" w.)
Shiva and Consort
Unknown artist - West Bengal, India
c.2000
Water-based paint on paper
(28" h. x 22" w.)
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