Indian folk artists use centuries-old tradition to highlight modern issues, bring Muslims and Hindus together

Their numbers are dwindling, but folk artists in West Bengal are determined to preserve a tradition linked to the oral histories of Hindu mythologies

They do so by using the art form to comment on contemporary issues like climate change, child marriage, anti-Muslim hate and even India’s moon landing

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Artists at Habi Chak. These storytellers trace their roots back to the former East Bengal, now Bangladesh, where they learned Hindu mythologies through generations of oral tradition dating back to the 11th century. Photo: Sonia Sarkar

Published: 2:00pm, 2 Sep 2023

Indian artist Saira Chitrakar left hundreds of people in Indonesia enraptured earlier this year when she sang emotionally in Bengali: “Men and women are the same, both have the right to survive, but why are women subjected to violence?”

The stirring performance unfolded at the International Seminar and Festival of Oral Traditions in June, where Saira also presented a captivating 3-metre-long (10-feet) cloth painting. Her art denounced the practice of child marriage, earning her a resounding round of applause from the packed hall.

A patua (folk painter) hailing from West Bengal, Saira cherished this opportunity to introduce her unique storytelling art, known as patua sangeet (songs by folk painters), to a global audience.

“We want to use this heritage art to raise awareness about contemporary issues,” said the 36-year-old.

An artist of Habi Chak in East Midnapore with painting depicting Hindu tale of Manasa. Photo: Sonia Sarkar

The term chitrakar, meaning painter, is used as a surname by these artists to align themselves with the caste of folk painters, seeking greater respect from the predominant Hindu community despite being of Islamic faith.