Kalighat Painting Workshop - Janmashtami Special

Hasir Chitrakar

Hasir Chitrakar, hailing from Naya, West Bengal, is an accomplished artist renowned for his expertise in Bengal Pattachitra and Kalighat styles. With a rich artistic lineage as the son of Manoranjan Chitrakar, Hasir has been immersed in the world of painting since the tender age of 8. His passion for the craft runs deep, evident in his dedication to preserving and showcasing traditional art forms.

One of Hasir's notable achievements includes creating a stunning mural adorning the walls of the Pingla police station. However, his artistic endeavors extend beyond his hometown, as he has traveled to various cities like Delhi and Chennai, participating in exhibitions alongside his father. Hasir's favorite project remains his time spent teaching Kalighat and Bengal Pattachitra at an educational center in Kanpur, reflecting his commitment to passing down his craft to future generations. In his Kalighat paintings, Hasir often depicts deities and celestial beings, infusing his artwork with spiritual and cultural significance. Additionally, he showcases his versatility by exploring other mediums such as Chauk Pot and wall plate paintings, adding depth and diversity to his artistic repertoire.

Kalighat

Kalighat painting is a traditional art form that flourished in the vicinity of the Kalighat Kali Temple in Kolkata, India, during the 19th century. It is characterized by its bold lines, vibrant colors, minimal background details, and distinctive style. Jamini Roy was one of the artists greatly influenced by this style. Moreover, the themes of the Kalighat painting range from religious stories to social satires. Goddess Kali, Babu & Bibi, and Cat with the Fish are some of the well-known illustrations in this craft. History and Legend Kalighat painting began as a form of devotional art inspired by the pilgrimage to the Kalighat Temple. Pilgrims sought souvenirs to reminisce about their visits, leading to the creation of budget-friendly, portable artworks. Over time, these paintings evolved into a distinct style, reflecting the cultural and religious ethos of the region. Methods and Techniques Kalighat paintings are known for their simplicity and spontaneity, created using natural pigments on paper or cloth. The artists, known as 'patuas' or 'kalighat painters,' often worked in groups with shared responsibilities of mixing dyes, drawing lines, or filing up the colors. In the search for income, these craftsmen catered to British patrons at one point, incorporating elements of European realism and secular subjects into their craft. The secular subjects like English sahibs riding elephants, wealthy Calcutta babus (liberalists), and fraud sadhus (holy men) succumbing to base desires reflect the social concerns of that period. Decline and Revival The art form of Kalighat declined due to the advent of cheaper wood prints and machine-printed alternatives by the early 20th century. However, in recent decades, efforts have been made to revive the Kalighat painting tradition by artists, government, and art connoisseurs. The combined efforts through exhibitions, and workshops have helped in showcasing the unique identity of Kalighat painting and regain its lost legacy. More here on our blog.

Product Details

Title

Kalighat Painting Workshop - Janmashtami Special

Vendor

Hasir Chitrakar

Art Style

Kalighat

Difficulty Level

Beginner

Workshop Type

Live

Audio Language

Hindi/English

Materials Included

No

Date

1 Days

Customer Reviews

FAQs

What is the difference between Masterclasses and LIVE workshops?

Masterclasses are complete pre-recorded courses of 7-8 parts that have been researched and recorded by us at the Master artists homes. LIVE workshops happen in real time over zoom along with the Master Artist and a small group. Live workshops have different levels. We only have a few Masterclasses right now - Lippan art from Kutch and Pichwai art from Nathdwara, Rajasthan and are producing and adding more every month. While we cover more than 60 heritage art and craft forms in our live workshops already.

I am a beginner, which class would you recommend for me?

You could attend a beginner friendly live workshop (or even a masterclass if its Lippan or Pichwai you are interested in) and then join the foundations or advanced LIVE workshops. The different levels for the LIVE workshops are- Beginner, Foundations and Advancedyour store.

Are materials included in the masterclasses and LIVE workshops?

Materials are not included in the masterclasses but you can order from our list of authentic art kits and materials in addition to the masterclass. For the live workshops, materials are included in some of the live workshops as part of the workshop and it would be mentioned in the workshop description.

What is covered in the different levels of the LIVE workshops and in the Masterclasses?

Beginner Friendly- These are usually 1-2 classes of 2 hours each and one of the simpler artworks and motifs of that art style are covered in the beginner friendly workshops as an introduction to that art form.
Foundations- In the foundations live workshops, the workshops are structured to teach you the basic motifs and foundations of that art style , the focus is not on completing a painting but the elements taught in each class are incorporated in a painting and a few different compositions are also taught
Advanced- in the Advanced live workshop, usually the focus is on completing a more elaborate and intricate painting - no basic motifs are covered in the advanced workshops.
Masterclass-A masterclass is structured as 7-8 pre-recorded classes covering introduction of the artform, introduction of the artist, introduction of the different traditional materials used in that art and then 3 artworks are usually taught ranging from beginner to intermediate.

Do I get a certificate for completing a LIVE Workshop or a Masterclass?

Yes, going forward, our platform will automatically award you a certificate on behalf of MeMeraki for completing a workshop with us and being a patron of the arts. This will be accessible via the ‘My Workshops’ section under each workshop that you have attended after Nov 2021.

I do not live in India, can I still attend a LIVE Workshop? Will you ship materials internationally?

Yes, we have many patrons attending our workshops from across the world. We ship the art kits internationally for the workshops where materials are included. International shipping charges are INR2000. Even if you are ordering an art kit separately in addition to a MASTERCLASS, we can ship internationally.

Will I have access to the recording of the workshop after the workshop?

Yes, you will be able to access the recording of all the workshops you have attended through the ‘My Workshops’ section to be able to practice at your own pace later.

What happens to the recordings of the previous workshops I have attended?

The previous workshops recordings will still be available to you via google drive as earlier. But going forward for all new workshops post Nov 2021, the workshops will be accessible through our website and platform only.