The Modern Life in Kalighat by Sonali Chitrakar

This captivating Kalighat painting by Sonali Chitrakar reimagines the traditional “Babu and Bibi” representations through a contemporary lens, portraying the couple taking a selfie, a striking blend of heritage and modernity. The artwork, rendered in the bold and fluid strokes characteristic of the Kalighat style, features a well-dressed Bengali couple standing in a theatrical setting, framed by deep red drapery that evokes the grandeur of stage performances. The Babu, adorned in a stylish black dhoti embellished with intricate white detailing, holds a smartphone at an angle, his sharp, elongated eyes and slight smirk reflecting confidence and vanity. His wife, the Bibi, draped in a resplendent yellow saree with delicate white floral patterns and an opulent red border, leans into him gracefully, her expressive gaze and soft smile conveying both affection and indulgence in the act of posing. The jewelry adorning her—layered pearl necklaces, large earrings, and red bangles, adds to her elegance, emphasizing the couple’s aristocratic aura. Positioned at their feet, a black-and-white mouse, its arched back and attentive posture symbolizing ego, subtly critiques the couple's modern lifestyle. This placement suggests a disregard for traditional values, adding a satirical and realistic element to the scene.The aged beige background, framed by a simple black border, enhances the vibrancy of the figures while lending an antique charm to the composition. This painting brilliantly satirizes contemporary selfie culture, merging it seamlessly with the nostalgia of Kalighat art, making it both a humorous and thought-provoking piece that bridges past and present with artistic finesse.

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

No, we currently sell artworks unframed (unless explicitly mentioned otherwise) and do not provide framing services.

We ship worldwide. All artworks are handmade and couriered securely in transit safe packaging sutaible for the artwork.

Domestic Orders

All prices are inclusive of GST and applicable Indian taxes.

• We offer free shipping on orders above ₹1999 for all artworks, except Lippan, Terracotta and Thikri.
• A flat shipping rate of ₹499 applies to orders below ₹1999.

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.

Returns and Replacements

We offer replacements or repairs if your artwork arrives damaged or has a quality issue. As each artwork is handcrafted, we do not accept returns or refunds for orders received in the expected condition.

Delivery Timeline

This artwork will be Made to Order and will take 2-3 weeks to be made and shipped.

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.