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In pictures: A day trip to Nayagram in Pingla — a ‘patachitra’ and shopper’s paradise

Indulge in a spot of cultural tourism in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur

Pooja Mitra Published 10.03.25, 02:21 PM
Pingla, in Paschim Medinipur (116km from Kolkata), is a one-stop destination for art lovers. The small village is an artists’ hub that specialises in ‘patachitras’
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Pingla, in Paschim Medinipur (116km from Kolkata), is a one-stop destination for art lovers. The small village is an artists’ hub that specialises in ‘patachitras’

Photos: Pooja Mitra
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The artists, also known as ‘patuas’ or ‘chitrakars’, mostly paint mythological scenes on paper or cloth scrolls, called ‘pots’ in Bengali
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The artists, also known as ‘patuas’ or ‘chitrakars’, mostly paint mythological scenes on paper or cloth scrolls, called ‘pots’ in Bengali

The ‘patachitras’ bring to life various scenes from Indian scriptures and mythology like Durga and Shiva, to the epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The artists also paint the Kalighat ‘patachitras’ or ‘Babu Bibi patachitras’
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The ‘patachitras’ bring to life various scenes from Indian scriptures and mythology like Durga and Shiva, to the epics like the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The artists also paint the Kalighat ‘patachitras’ or ‘Babu Bibi patachitras’

Art aficionados can buy paper or cloth scrolls in their original form, or can also get framed artworks. The colours used in the ‘patachitras’ are organic, made from hibiscus, turmeric, grass, and so on
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Art aficionados can buy paper or cloth scrolls in their original form, or can also get framed artworks. The colours used in the ‘patachitras’ are organic, made from hibiscus, turmeric, grass, and so on

Bengal ‘patachitras’ received the Geographical Indication tag in 2018, and the Government of West Bengal and UNESCO’s efforts have created an artisanal hub in Pingla, focusing on the MSME sector of the state
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Bengal ‘patachitras’ received the Geographical Indication tag in 2018, and the Government of West Bengal and UNESCO’s efforts have created an artisanal hub in Pingla, focusing on the MSME sector of the state

Nayagram is a shopper’s paradise for other collectors, too. From mugs, t-shirts, wooden trays to jewellery — the wide array of handmade and handpainted products are not to be missed either
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Nayagram is a shopper’s paradise for other collectors, too. From mugs, t-shirts, wooden trays to jewellery — the wide array of handmade and handpainted products are not to be missed either

Walking around the village, one can see artistic brick adorning the walls of the modest homes of the artists. Another feature intrinsic to Nayagram is the heritage of ‘pala gaan’, sung by the artists about mythological history. The songs, a part of oral history, are sung while painting the scrolls, as well as to entertain visitors
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Walking around the village, one can see artistic brick adorning the walls of the modest homes of the artists. Another feature intrinsic to Nayagram is the heritage of ‘pala gaan’, sung by the artists about mythological history. The songs, a part of oral history, are sung while painting the scrolls, as well as to entertain visitors

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Day Trip Paschim Medinipur Patachitra
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