Spirit of Labour In Kalighat by Uttam Chitrakar

This is a beautiful Kalighat painting by the artist Uttam Chitrakar that depicts Babu and Bibi sitting in a rikshaw pulled by a man on the streets of Calcutta. At the heart of this vibrant composition, we find a rickshaw, a humble yet integral mode of transportation in the city. The rickshaw is being pulled by a human, his determined strides are a testament to the resilience and dedication of the daily workers. This painting also highlights the symbiotic relationship between man and machine come to life. Uttam Chitrakar's masterful brushwork captures not only the physicality of the rickshaw-puller but also the emotional weight of the labor. This Kalighat painting celebrates the spirit of labor and the unyielding commitment of those who power the wheels of urban life.

Kalighat paintings, which flourished in the 19th century in the Bengal presidency, represent a unique urban genre that evolved from the traditional folk art of Pattachitra practiced by travelling scroll painters known as patuas. These rural artists, who had migrated to Calcutta, absorbed the new manners and customs of British settlers, the revivalist exercises of Mughal influences, and the use of Sanskrit on stage. Their interactions with colonial paintings and the urban environment of Calcutta led to the development of a distinctive style. The period of Kalighat paintings coincided with the age of mechanical reproduction technologies such as woodcut, lithography, oleography, and printing, which facilitated the mass consumption of imagery in urban settings. This period of technological advancement influenced the Kalighat painters, who began using watercolors, shaded figures, and folio-sized mill-made papers to create their artworks. Uttam Chitrakar’s painting exemplifies these stylistic features, characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and a focus on contemporary urban themes, reflecting the social and economic dynamics of the time.

Each of our artworks are hand painted by master artists across India. We provide a digital authentication certificate with this artwork signed by the artist which will be sent over email after 3-4 days of delivery of the artwork.

View Sample Here

The sizes mentioned are excluding the borders of the artwork. Frames shown are for visual representation only and are not included with the artwork.

Customisation

Most artworks can be customised in terms of colours, size and elements to fit your requirements.

For custom artwork orders, please use the WhatsApp chat below or email us at wecare@memeraki.com to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Framing Services

We offer framing services on demand at additional framing and shipping costs. If you wish to get your artwork framed, please reach out to us on WhatsApp or email.

We ship worldwide.

Domestic Orders

All prices are inclusive of GST and applicable Indian taxes.

• We offer free shipping on orders above ₹999 for all artworks, except Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri.
• A flat shipping rate of ₹249 applies to orders below ₹999.

Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri

Shipping is charged on a per-kilogram basis, due to the delicate and bulky nature of these items.

International Orders

• A flat shipping charge of ₹4,000 applies to international artwork orders.
• Customs duties, taxes, or import charges in the buyer’s country are not included and must be borne by the buyer.
• Shipping rates for Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri artworks will be calculated based on weight.

Additonal Shipping Charges

Extra charges may be applicable for both domestic and international deliveries in the following cases:

• If the article requires additional packaging (such as a wooden crate) to ensure safe shipping due to its delicate nature.
• Custom-framed artworks.
• Artworks where shorter side exceeds 36 inches or Decor items with any side over 35 inches.
• If you request express shipping. Contact support to check availability.
• The order contains more than two different product types.

You can proceed with your purchase, and our team will contact you to confirm any applicable additional shipping charges before processing your order. Alternatively, reach out to us on WhatsApp or email, and we'll assist you in completing your purchase with the final pricing.

All artworks are handmade and couriered securely packed in a tube.

This artwork will be Made to Order and will take 2-3 weeks to be made and shipped. Returns are not applicable on Made To Order artworks.

Once your order is placed, our team stays in constant communication with the artist to track the progress and ensure the quality of your order. You will receive regular updates from us throughout this process.

All MeMeraki artworks are hand-painted. In rare occasions, artist may face delays due to weather, health, prior commitments or force majeure. Our team will reach out to you with revised timelines in case of such delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience in such situations.

All artworks on the website are hand painted from scratch by our master artists. This makes every artwork absolutely unique and the actual colour and overall artwork may vary slightly from the artwork image posted here.