Kalighat Art – Babu Moshai and Bibi

Kalighat painting is a traditional Indian art form that is known for its themes techniques, and style. Originating around the 19^th century Kolkata emerged as an important economic and administrative region of British India. The Kalighat Temple in southern Kolkata attracted a large number of devotees and European visitors. Thus , craftsmen and artisan from, surrounding villages made their way to the temple to find work opportunities.

Among them were the artists from rural west Bengal. The artist were painters who painted scrolls, or the patachitra. These scroll paintings were an excellent medium of artistic expression. Besides, there were also modes of storytelling that illustrated tales from mythology and the epics. These paintings were minimalistic in the sense that they had no background images, unnecessary decorations, or bold outlines, The paintings depicted single or two figures and used vivid colors and expressive depictions. And thus, this is how the Kalighat style of paintings found its origin.