{"product_id":"cat-with-a-fish-holding-an-umbrella-in-kalighat-by-uttam-chitrakar","title":"Cat with a Fish Holding an Umbrella in Kalighat by Uttam Chitrakar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Kalighat painting by Uttam Chitrakar centers on one of the most beloved and famous satirical characters in the history of the art form: the hypocritical, fish-eating ascetic cat (Kendua Berel), a classic trope used by 19th-century folk artists to lampoon religious or upper-class double standards. Historically, Kalighat paintings developed near Kolkata's famous temple to quickly capture urban follies with sweeping lines and bold humor. In this expressive work, the cat walks upright on its hind legs, mimicking the affected, wealthy Babu culture of colonial Bengal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe plump, white cat dominates the center of the vertical composition, its body covered in bold, fluidly painted black spots and delicate, parallel grey shading lines that give its rounded belly a sense of immense volume. Its facial expression is beautifully rendered with large, stylized, human-like almond eyes staring directly at the viewer with an air of sly innocence, complete with small pink ears and fine white whiskers. Clamped firmly in its jaws is a spotted orange fish, its tail drooping down to the right in a graceful arc. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo further emphasize its comical assimilation into high society, the cat wears delicate golden anklets on its paws and balances a grand, open umbrella using its front limbs. The umbrella is painted in deep black and elaborately decorated with rows of uniform golden patterns and tiny dangling tassels along its pale-pink rim. The entire whimsical performance is set against a smooth ochre background that highlights the high-contrast black, white and gold elements of the subject. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe painting features the Kalighat school’s signature economy of line, using thick, sweeping black outlines to trace the entire form of the cat in a single, confident movement. The color palette achieves a perfect, sophisticated balance between the monochromatic tones of the cat and the rich golden hues of the background and accessories. By keeping this century-old social critique fresh, playful, and visually striking, the painting beautifully honors the living and ever-evolving storytelling spirit of Bengal's rich folk art heritage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Uttam Chitrakar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45957816418518,"sku":null,"price":6000.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1194\/1498\/files\/Cat-Holding-a-fish-In-Kalighat-by-Uttam-Chitrakar-1.png?v=1725605773","url":"https:\/\/www.memeraki.com\/products\/cat-with-a-fish-holding-an-umbrella-in-kalighat-by-uttam-chitrakar","provider":"Memeraki Retail and Tech Pvt Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}