Answer: Chitrakars
Patuas are also known as chitrakars in the context of Bengal patas. Chitrakar translates to "picture-maker" or "painter" in Bengali.
Bengal patas comprise the practice of painting on cloth (pata) and storytelling in regions of West Bengal. It is the most receptive oral tradition, constantly seeking new themes and formulating novel responses to major incidents in the world. The vertically painted pata becomes a prop used by a patua (performer) for performance. Patuas, also called chitrakars, belong to communities largely settled around Midnapore, Birbhum and Bankura regions of West Bengal, parts of Bihar and Jharkhand. Handling the pata is their hereditary profession. They travel around villages, displaying the paintings and singing the narratives that are painted. Performances happen in common spaces of the village. The patua narrates three to four stories each time. After the performance, the patua is given alms or gift in cash or kind. |
