Kalighat Painting

by Jyotindra Jain

Kalighat painting emerged from the changing world of nineteenth century Calcutta, with old and new images seemingly layered one upon another on a transparent plane. Traditionally inherited techniques, iconography and artistic practices co-mingled with revivalistic Mughal court culture, Sanskrit drama, the proscenium stage, and swiftly churned out and circulated images from photo-studios and lithographic presses in the fast-growing urban centre, translating folk art forms into popular genres.

About the Author:

JYOTINDRA JAIN is the Director of the Crafts Museum, New Delhi. Among his publications on the arts of India, are: Painted Myths of Creation: Art and Ritual of an Indian Tribe and Ganga Devi: Tradition and Expression in Mithila.