{"product_id":"tel-malish-in-kalighat-by-anwar-chitrakar","title":"Tel Malish in Kalighat by Anwar Chitrakar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Kalighat painting by Anwar Chitrakar centres on the intimate scene of tel malish, turning a familiar domestic ritual into a stylised tableau of comfort, status and service. At the heart of the composition sits a corpulent man flanked by two women who attend closely to his body, their gestures quietly mapping the hierarchies embedded within the scene. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKalighat painting is a traditional folk art form that emerged in 19th-century Kolkata, West Bengal. Known for its bold brushwork, expressive figures and minimalistic compositions, the style is defined by strong, flowing outlines, flat yet vibrant colours and backgrounds kept deliberately simple. Developed by patua artists around the Kalighat temple, it moved easily between devotional imagery, everyday scenes and social satire. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe central figure is a bald, heavyset man seated in lalitasana, wearing only a white dhoti edged in black with teal shading in the folds. His rounded body, prominent belly and relaxed pose suggest wealth, leisure and authority, while the Kalighat treatment of his face, with fish-shaped eyes, arched brows, a prominent nose and small lips, gives him a distinctive graphic presence. He is adorned with a necklace, yajnopavita, armlets and a bracelet, further marking his elevated social status. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe two women, placed on either side, are shown in three-quarter profile and dressed in white saris with teal folds and black borders. Both wear traditional jewellery, including chokers, necklaces, armlets, bangles and earrings, and their hair is tied in neat buns. One woman stands and massages the man’s hand, while the other sits at his side and tends to his legs, creating a composition that centres on service, attention and bodily care. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBehind the man rises a stylised tree with three branches and zigzag clusters of green leaves, adding a decorative rhythm to the upper register. In the foreground, an ittar vessel on the left and a small tray with a bottle and bowl on the right suggest fragrance, oil and refinement, reinforcing the atmosphere of cultivated ease. The plain background keeps the focus on the figures and their interaction, allowing the domestic ritual to unfold with clarity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough its balanced composition and understated humour, the painting turns tel malish into a social image as much as a domestic one. It reflects Kalighat’s ability to make ordinary life visually legible while quietly commenting on comfort, hierarchy and indulgence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Anwar Chitrakar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50064967434454,"sku":null,"price":40000.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1194\/1498\/files\/1._Tel_Malish_in_Kalighat_by_Anwar_Chitrakar.png?v=1786434470","url":"https:\/\/www.memeraki.com\/products\/tel-malish-in-kalighat-by-anwar-chitrakar","provider":"Memeraki Retail and Tech Pvt Ltd.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}