Village Life: The Farmer Woman in Kalighat by Sonali Chitrakar

This dynamic and expressive Kalighat painting by artist Sonali Chitrakar captures the strength and dignity of a working rural woman, honoring India’s agricultural economy, which relies heavily on the rural sector. Kalighat painting originated in 19th-century Calcutta (Kolkata) as a form of quick, accessible art sold near the Kalighat Temple. Over time, it evolved from devotional imagery into a medium for social commentary and depictions of everyday life, characterized by bold lines, fluid brushstrokes, and simplified forms.

At the center of this composition stands a farmer woman who embodies the physical labor and enduring spirit of rural India. She is rendered in the quintessential Kalighat style: large, expressive eyes; a rounded, graceful face; and a strong, stylized form. Adorned with traditional jewelry, including prominent ear hoops, she stands upon rich brown earth, carrying a heavy plow over her shoulder. Behind and below her, a small herd of white cattle situates the scene firmly within the agricultural heartland. The background consists of sweeping, stylized bands of blue, white, and brown that suggest abstract clouds or distant hills, further emphasizing the central figure. The composition subtly echoes the iconic film poster of “Mother India,” evoking themes of resilience, hardship, and the indomitable spirit of womanhood.

The color palette is simple yet striking—warm ochre and peach tones for the skin, vibrant yellow for her garment, and deep browns and greens for the land. Bold black outlines lend the image a graphic immediacy, while the dominance of a single, monumental figure reflects the Kalighat school’s mastery of narrative simplicity.

Expressive and culturally resonant, this artwork is a striking addition to any collection, celebrating rural labor, womanhood, and the bold storytelling of the Kalighat style.

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.

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• If the article requires additional packaging (such as a wooden crate) to ensure safe shipping due to its delicate nature.
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Ready To Ship/ In Stock artworks are shipped in under 2 weeks. We only accept return requests for Ready to Ship/ In stock artworks placed within a week from date of delivery. However, no returns can be accepted for international deliveries.

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.