A Woman and A Cat in Kalighat by Uttam Chitrakar

This Kalighat painting by Uttam Chitrakar is a captivating depiction of a woman and a cat, rendered with the bold contours, fluid linework and voluminous forms that define this 19th-century Bengali folk tradition. Originating near the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata, this style of art excels at capturing charming domestic scenes and subtle human-animal interactions, presenting them with a graphic simplicity that bridges traditional folk styles and urban modernism.

At the center of this composition is a woman seated atop a simple black table. Her body is turned in a three-quarter profile, and her head is elegantly tilted as she gazes softly downward toward her feline companion. Her facial features carry the signature Kalighat large, elongated almond eyes, a sharp nose and a gentle curvature of the jawline. Her dark hair is neatly tied back and partially covered by her veil. She is attired in a red sari outlined with a thick, contrasting black border, and adorned with delicate silver bangles and a thin necklace. In her right hand, she holds a small, elegant red rose, adding a poetic, romantic touch to her quiet demeanor.

The narrative interaction is anchored by a stylized, spotted cat standing on the floor in the lower right corner. The cat is depicted in an active, playful posture, sitting on its hind legs and stretching its body upward to look directly into the face of the woman. Its coat is painted in stark white and covered with bold, irregular black spots and curved patches, a playful stylistic treatment that echoes the famous Kalighat tradition of drawing mischievous domestic animals. Its tail curls dynamically upward, balancing the vertical lines of the scene.

In Kalighat painting, cats are deeply symbolic of religious hypocrisy, greed, and moral corruption. These folk paintings used felines as satirical metaphors for false ascetics or corrupt priests who outwardly feigned piety but secretly indulged in worldly sins.

The painting features the Kalighat school's signature economy of line, utilizing broad, sweeping contours to capture the fluid grace of the figures and minimal shading to suggest weight and form. The color palette is striking yet balanced, relying on the vibrant contrast of the rich red and warm orange against the neutral backdrop and the graphic black-and-white forms. This work beautifully captures the essence of the Kalighat secular tradition, turning a simple domestic vignette into an expressive piece filled with regional folk heritage.

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.

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.

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

Due to high demand for artworks from this artist, the delivery timelines are currently 1-3 weeks.

If you are on a tight deadline, please reach out to us on WhatsApp or email to discuss your requirements.

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.