Pattachitra Artist
Pattachitra is an art form that takes ages to master. It requires precision and control as it is painted freehand and is chock full of intricate details.
Our Pattachitra Artists or Patuas are not men of ordinary talents. Meet Monirul Chitrakar, the eighth generation of heritage Pattachitra artists, and his equally capable brother-in-law, Laltu Chitrakar. They come from the renowned artist village of Pingla, situated in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India.
The vibrant village is the residence of Pattachitra, which is intertwined with the spirits of its people. Pingla welcomes you with its walls painted in Pattachitra features, as the entire village is composed of generational artists with immaculate talent. They all proudly bear the surname-Chitrakar, which translates to an artist.
Monirul has grown up around this native art form, with his grandfather and father being active Patuas. He took to it after his eighth standard in school, and there was no looking back for him. He now has a four-year-old daughter of his own who has already picked up the know-how of Pattachitra.
Monirul and Laltu are sought-after artists. Their art has been exhibited across the country and displayed in several museums. Monirul's artwork has been a part of the initiative undertaken by Kolkata Airport and Mumbai's International Airport to promote and feature indigenous art forms of India.
The artists from Monirul and Laltu's village collaborate on projects instead of competing for them. They work in troops and represent their heritage. Their dedication to art and kinship within the community has allowed Pattachitra to thrive and grow.
