Craft Patachitra

Bengal Patachitra is a traditional scroll painting craft practiced by the Patua community and received GI recognition in 2016. The art form is especially associated at Pingla in Paschim Medinipur. Patachitra scrolls are painted using natural pigments derived from plants, minerals and soil.

The scroll paintings depict mythological stories, folklore and contemporary social themes. Traditionally artists would sing narrative songs while gradually unrolling the painted scrolls. This made Patachitra both a visual and performing art tradition.

From the BONGONIKETAN Studio

At BONGONIKETAN, we work closely with craft villages and artisan clusters where traditional scroll painting continues to thrive, collaborating with skilled artisans and master painters who preserve this vibrant storytelling tradition.

Through these collaborations, we create hand-painted scrolls depicting traditional themes such as Kalighat imagery, Durga and other mythological narratives, while also exploring contemporary interpretations of the art form. The paintings are traditionally executed on cloth canvas, prepared and painted using techniques passed down through generations.

The artisans paint using both organic natural pigments and carefully selected chemical colours, depending on the nature of the canvas base and the desired finish of the artwork. A painting typically takes a minimum of three days to complete, while more intricate compositions require additional time depending on the complexity of the design and detailing.

Alongside traditional scroll paintings, we also create a range of decorative and functional objects inspired by the same artistic language including painted trays, lamps and other handcrafted decor pieces. Through these partnerships, BONGONIKETAN seeks to sustain the artistic heritage of Bengal’s scroll painting tradition while bringing its vibrant visual storytelling into contemporary spaces.

GI Location: Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India
GI Registration Year: 2016
GI Source: Geographical Indications Registry, Intellectual Property India, Government of India