Now, CM's schemes centre of 'patachitra' themes

Measures taken up by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to revive traditional art and culture in rural Bengal have left a deep impact on the patachitris (artists) of West Midnapore that for the first time various projects taken up by the state government to empower women are being projected through the ancient art of patachitra.

Naya village in West Midnapore is world famous for the patachitras. The century-old art on cloth in bright colours depicting stories from mythology, various social events like marriages and even marriage of fishes are quite well-known. Earlier, the artists were poor and they used to take their work-of-art to the villages and display them. They also sang songs while exhibiting the patachitras. In return, they got paddy and money from the richer class of the villages.

Along with the mythological figures, the patachitris are now concentrating on various projects taken up by the state government to empower women. Two such well-known projects of Mamata Banerjee, — Kanyashree and Sabuj Sathi — have obtained representation in the patachitras as they have changed the lives of rural folk, particularly women, said Rupsona Chitrakar, a patachitri. In a patachitra, one finds girls holding a bicycle given to them under Sabuj Sathi scheme.

The state government has distributed as many as 30 lakh bicycles among students of state-run, aided and sponsored schools and another 35 lakhs will be distributed. Under Kanyashree project, girls have been supported enormously to carry on with their education.

"Kanyashree and Sabuj Sathi have changed the lives of womenfolk in the rural areas. Many girls who had to give up studies as the schools are situated seven to eight kilometres away from their homes are now continuing with their studies because they can reach schools on time now, courtesy the bicycles given to them under Sabuj Sathi. Similarly, through Kanyashree, a girl child is being looked after from her early days. So have included this in our traditional patachitra art."

The artisans are going to different fairs organised both in Bengal and other states and along with the patachitra, they are singing songs on the projects, thus, creating a general awareness among the visitors.

After coming to power in 2011, Banerjee has arranged to give Rs 1,000 to the artists and they are being helped to take part in fairs where they can sell their products.

Students from Italy and other foreign countries are regularly visiting the village to learn the ancient art.

Many of the 300 odd artists have taken part in exhibitions held in several European countries and the US. A museum set up by Bahadur Chitrakar, the most famous artist, has received widespread appreciation both in the country and abroad alike.